Columbia  ©ntoettfttp 

mtl)f©tpof3lfttjgark 

THE  LIBRARIES 


GIVEN  BY 

Mrs.   Eby 


COMMENTARY 


ON  THE 


PSALMS 


Commentary 


f, 


ON   THE 


PSALMS 

COMPILED   FROM  THE 

THEOLOGICAL  WORKS 

OF 

Emanuel    Swedenborg 

BY 

The  Rev.  Robert  S.  Fischer 


1  -• 
■   '  ,  •       i 


•    :  BOSTON  "  "    '    \J 

Publtsfjet|Jfor  trje  featctj  ®xu&it*\ 

THE    MASSACHUSETTS    NEW-CHURCH    UNION 

1910 


It 


Mrs.  Eby 
Apr.  5,  ,1939 


Copyright,  1910, 

by  Horace  Parker  Chandler,  Warren  Goddard, 

James  Everett  Young  {Trustees). 


PREFACE  111 


PREFACE. 

This  Commentary,  the  third  of  the  series,  is  like  the  pre- 
vious volumes  ("Commentary  on  Matthew"  and  "Com- 
mentary on  John,"  by  the  same  author)  drawn  entirely  from 
the  Theological  Writings  of  Emanuel  Swedenborg.  For 
every  passage  of  the  Psalms  which  is  therein  quoted  or  re- 
ferred to,  all  that  he  has  written  is  given,  except  in  isolated 
cases  where  abridgments  have  been  necessary  to  avoid 
making  the  Commentary  too  bulky  for  ready  reference,  or 
for  topical  reading.  Reiterations  of  the  same  statements 
have  been  avoided  by  a  reference  to  preceding  chapters  and 
verses. 

The  entire  part  of  Swedenborg's  treatise  "  Summary  Ex- 
position of  Prophets  and  Psalms"  which  relates  to  the 
Psalms  is  embodied  in  this  Commentary  and  appears  under 
the  indicative  letters  P.  P.  at  the  verses  to  which  it  belongs. 
This  work  throws  new  light  upon  many  portions  of  the  Book 
of  Psalms.  In  the  "  Doctrine  concerning  the  Lord,"  No.  37, 
Swedenborg  writes  about  it:  "It  maybe  well  to  mention 
that  it  has  been  granted  to  me  to  go  through  all  the  Prophets 
and  the  Psalms  of  David,  and  to  examine  each  verse  singly 
and  to  see  what  is  there  treated  of.  It  has  been  seen  that 
nothing  else  is  treated  of  but  the  church  established  and  to 
be  established  by  the  Lord,  the  Lord's  advent,  His  combats, 
glorification,  redemption  and  salvation,  and  heaven  from 
Him;  and  at  the  same  time  their  opposites." 

The  division  into  verses  is  that  adopted  in  Schmidt's 
Hebrew  Latin  Bible,  published  in  1740,  which  Swedenborg 


IV  PREFACE 

generally  used,  and  which  is  the  same  as  in  Le  Boys  des 
Guays'  General  Index,  and  other  similar  works.  In  these 
the  introductory  words  which  for  some  Psalms  occur  in  the 
Hebrew  are  counted  as  a  verse.  Where  it  occurs,  the  verse 
number  of  the  text  issued  by  the  American  Revision  Com- 
mittee can  be  found  by  going  one  verse  back.  No  mis- 
understanding is  possible  as  the  context  always  shows  which 
verse  is  meant. 

It  is  needless  to  repeat  what  has  been  said  in  the  preface 
to  previous  volumes  about  the  unique  use  of  this  Concord- 
ance, as  that  is  now  well  established. 

Cincinnati,  Ohio,  April,  1910. 


ABBREVIATIONS   OF   TITLES 


OF 


SWEDENBORG'S   WRITINGS 


VI  ABBREVIATIONS 


ABBREVIATIONS  OF  TITLES 


OF 


SWEDENBORG'S   WRITINGS. 


A Arcana  Ccelestia. 

B Brief  Exposition  of  the  Doctrine  of  the 

New  Church. 

C Doctrine  of  Charity. 

E Apocalypse  Explained. 

F Doctrine  concerning  Faith. 

H Heaven  and  Hell. 

I Intercourse    between   the    Soul    and    the 

Body. 

J Last  Judgment. 

L Doctrine  concerning  the  Lord. 

M Conjugial  Love. 

N The    New    Jerusalem   and   its   Heavenly 

Doctrine. 

p Divine  Providence. 

0 Answers  to  Nine  Questions. 

R Apocalypse  Revealed. 

g Doctrine  concerning  the  Sacred  Scripture. 

X True  Christian  Religion. 

U Earths  in  the  Universe. 

W Divine  Love  and  Wisdom. 

Ath Athanasian  Creed. 

Can Canons  of  the  New  Church. 


ABBREVIATIONS  Vll 

C.  J Continuation  Last  Judgment. 

Coro Coronis. 

De  Dom De  Domino. 

D.  J De  Justificatione. 

D.  L Divine  Love. 

D.  P Dicta  Probantia. 

D.  V De  Verbo. 

Ind Index  of  the  Memorabilia. 

Inv. Invitatio  ad  Novam  Ecclesiam. 

J.  Post De  Ultimo  Judicio. 

Life    #.  Doctrine  of  Life. 

P.  P Summary  Exposition  Prophets  and  Psalms. 

W.  H White  Horse. 

Wis Divine  Wisdom. 


Et  seq And  following. 


THE 
BOOK    OF    PSALMS. 


PSALM  I. 


i.     Blessed  is  the  man  that  walketh  not  in  the  counsel  of 
the  wicked, 
Nor  standeth  in  the  way  of  sinners, 
Nor  sitteth  in  the  seat  of  scoffers: 

2.  But  his  delight  is  in  the  law  of  Jehovah; 

And  on  his  law  doth  he  meditate  day  and  night. 

3.  And  he  shall  be  like  a  tree  planted  by  the  streams  of 

water, 
That  bringeth  forth  its  fruit  in  its  season, 
Whose  leaf  also  doth  not  wither; 
And  whatsoever  he  doeth  shall  prosper. 

4.  The  wicked  are  not  so, 

But  are  like  the  chaff  which  the  wind  driveth  away. 

5.  Therefore  the  wicked  shall  not  stand  in  the  judgment, 
Nor  sinners  in  the  congregation  of  the  righteous. 

6.  For  Jehovah  knoweth  the  way  of  the  righteous; 
But  the  way  of  the  wicked  shall  perish. 

Psalm  I. 

1.  To  walk,  to  stand,  and  to  sit  are  here  mentioned,  be- 
cause one  follows  another,  for  to  walk  is  expressive  of  the 
life  of  the  thought  from  intention,  to  stand  is  expressive 
of  the  life  of  the  intention  from  the  will,  and  to  sit  of  the 
life  of  the  wall,  thus  of  the  "Esse"  of  the  life.  Counsel 
also  of  which  walking  is  predicated  refers  to  the  thought, 


2  PSALM   I. 

way  of  which  standing  is  predicated  refers  to  intention,  and 
to  sit  in  a  seat  refers  to  the  will,  which  is  the  " Esse"  of  a 
man's    life.  E.  687. 

1-3.  The  man  who  doth  not  live  wickedly  is  regenerated 
by  the  Word  of  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

2.  The  law  of  Jehovah  is  the  books  of  Moses,  for  the 
prophetic  books  were  not  yet  written,  nor  the  historic 
except  those  of  Joshua  and  Judges.  A.  6752. 

2,  3.  That  a  tree  signifies  a  man  is  evident  from  the  follow- 
ing passages  of  the  Word:  Ezekiel  xvii.  24:  Jeremiah  xvii. 
8:  Psalm  cxlviii.  9:  Matthew  iii.  10;  etc.  T.  468. 

3.  That  a  leaf  signifies  truth  is  evident  from  many  passages 
in  the  Word  where  man  is  compared  to  a  tree,  or  is  called 
a  tree,  and  where  fruits  signify  the  goods  of  charity,  and  a 
leaf  truth  therefrom.  A.  885. 

WTaters  in  the  internal  sense  of  the  Word  signify  truths. 

A.  2702. 

By  a  tree  man  is  signified;  and  because  man  is  man 
from  affection  which  is  of  the  will,  and  from  perception 
which  is  of  the  understanding,  therefore  these  also  are 
signified  by  a  tree.  There  is  also  a  correspondence  be- 
tween a  man  and  a  tree,  on  which  account  there  appear  in 
heaven  paradises  of  trees  which  correspond  to  the  affections 
and  thence  to  the  perceptions  of  the  angels.  R.  400. 

Rational  truths  are  signified  by  leaves,  because  by  all 
the  parts  of  a  tree  are  signified  corresponding  things  in 
man.  .  .  .  With  those  who  are  in  the  goods  of  love  and  at 
the  same  time  in  the  truths  of  wisdom  there  appear  (in 
the  spiritual  world)  fruitbearing  trees,  luxuriant  with 
beautiful  leaves.  R.  936. 

Trees  in  general  signify  such  things  as  belong  to  man, 
leaves  signify  the  truths  belonging  to  him,  and  fruits  the 
goods.  E.  109. 

Man  is  like  a  tree  which  first  grows  from  a  seed  into  a 
shoot,  and  when  it  increases  in  height  emits  branches, 
and  from  these  boughs,  and  clothes  itself  continually  with 
leaves  .  .  .  such  a  tree  is  described.  Coro.  7. 


PSALM   II.  3 

4,  5.     But  he  who  lives  wickedly  perishes  on  the  day  of 

judgment.  P.  P. 

6.     For  the  Lord  knows  everyone.  P.  P. 


PSALM  II. 


1.  Why  do  the  nations  rage, 

And  the  peoples  meditate  a  vain  thing? 

2.  The  kings  of  the  earth  set  themselves, 
And  the  rulers  take  counsel  together, 

Against  Jehovah,  and  against  his  anointed,  saying, 

Let  us  break  their  bonds  asunder, 

And  cast  away  their  cords  from  us. 

He  that  sitteth  in  the  heavens  will  laugh: 

The  Lord  will  have  them  in  derision. 

Then  will  he  speak  unto  them  in  his  wrath, 

And  vex  them  in  his  sore  displeasure: 

Yet  I  have  set  my  king 

Upon  my  holy  hill  of  Zion. 

I  will  tell  of  the  decree: 

Jehovah  said  unto  me,  Thou  art  my  son; 

This  day  have  I  begotten  thee. 

8.  Ask  of  me,  and  I  will  give  thee  the  nations  for  thine 

inheritance, 
And  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  thy  possession. 

9.  Thou  shalt  break  them  with  a  rod  of  iron; 

Thou  shalt  dash  them  in  pieces  like  a  potter's  vessel. 

10.  Now  therefore  be  wise,  O  ye  kings: 
Be  instructed,  ye  judges  of  the  earth. 

11.  Serve  Jehovah  with  fear, 
And  rejoice  with  trembling, 

12.  Kiss  the  son,  lest  he  be  angry,  and  ye  perish  in  the  way, 
For  his  wrath  will  soon  be  kindled. 

Blessed  are  all  they  that  take  refuge  in  him. 


PSALM   II. 


Psalm  II. 


i,  2.  Those  who  should  be  in  the  truths  and  goods  of  the 
church  are  against  the  Lord;  P.  P. 

i,  2,  6.  The  Lord  was  conceived  of  the  Divine  itself,  and 
was  afterwards  born  of  that.  Hence  it  is  that  He  was  not 
only  conceived,  but  was  also  born  of  Jehovah. 

Ath.,  Page  39. 

1,2,  6,  7,  8,  12.  By  the  Anointed  of  Jehovah  is  here  under- 
stood the  Lord  as  to  the  Divine  Human.  These  things 
in  the  sense  of  the  letter  are  said  concerning  David,  but  by 
David  in  the  Word  is  understood  the  Lord  as  to  Divine 
truth,  or  as  King.  It  is  also  evident  that  the  subject  here 
treated  of  is  concerning  the  advent  of  the  Lord,  and  in 
particular  concerning  the  last  judgment  accomplished  by 
Him,  and  afterwards  concerning  His  Kingdom  over  all 
things  of  the  world.  The  spiritual  things  which  lie  con- 
cealed and  are  signified  in  the  particulars  of  these  passages 
are  these;  the  nations  made  a  tumult,  and  the  people 
meditated  vanity  signify  the  state  of  the  church  and  of  the 
former  heavens,  that  it  was  to  pass  away,  nations  standing 
for  those  who  are  in  evil,  and  the  people  for  those  who  are 
in  falses.  The  kings  of  the  earth  stood  up,  and  the  rulers 
consulted  together  against  Jehovah,  and  against  His 
Anointed,  signifies  the  falses  of  the  church  and  the  evils 
thereof,  as  being  altogether  against  the  Divine  good  and 
the  Divine  truth,  thus  against  the  Lord.  The  kings  of 
the  earth  stand  for  the  falses  of  the  church,  and  the  rulers 
the  evils  thereof.  Jehovah  stands  for  the  Lord  as  to  the 
essential  Divine,  thus  as  to  the  Divine  good.  Anointed 
stands  for  the  Lord  as  to  the  Divine  Human,  thus  as  to 
Divine  truth.  I  have  anointed  my  King  upon  Zion,  the 
mountain  of  my  holiness,  signifies  the  human  of  the  Lord 
as  to  Divine  truth  proceeding  from  the  Divine  good  of  His 
Divine  love,  and  thence  His  Kingdom  over  all  things  of 


PSALM   II.  5 

heaven  and  the  church.  Zion  and  the  mountain  of  holiness 
stand  for  heaven  and  the  church,  consequently  for  all 
things  appertaining  thereto.  I  will  tell  of  the  statute,  sig- 
nifies an  arcanum  of  the  Divine  will  and  providence. 
Jehovah  hath  said  unto  me,  Thou  art  my  Son,  to-day  have 
I  begotten  thee,  signifies  the  Lord  as  the  Anointed,  Mes- 
siah, Christ  and  King,  thus  as  to  His  human  conceived 
and  afterwards  born  of  His  essential  Divine  or  Jehovah. 
To-day  signifies  a  statute  from  eternity  and  thence  refers 
to  the  conjunction  and  union  accomplished  in  time.  Ask 
of  me,  and  I  will  give  the  nations  for  thine  inheritance, 
and  the  encls  of  the  earth  for^thy  possession,  signifies  His 
kingdom  and  dominion  over  all  things  of  heaven  and  the 
church,  which  shall  be  His.  Kiss  the  Son,  signifies  con- 
junction with  the  Lord  by  love,  to  kiss  stands  for  conjunc- 
tion from  love.  Lest  He  be  angry  and  ye  perish  in  the 
way,  signifies  lest  evils  invade  you  and  ye  be  condemned, 
for  to  be  angry  when  it  is  said  of  the  Lord  signifies  the 
aversion  or  turning  away  of  men  from  Him,  consequently 
their  anger  and  not  the  Lord's,  and  evils  are  the  things 
which  avert  themselves  and  afterwards  are  angry.  Be- 
cause His  anger  will  kindle  shortly,  signifies  the  last  judg- 
ment and  casting  of  the  evil  into  hell.  Blessed  are  all 
they  that  confide  in  Him,  signifies  salvation  by  love  and 
faith  in,  the  Lord.  E.  684. 

2.  As  Christ  and  Messiah  are  the  same,  and  as  Christ  in 
Greek  and  Messiah  in  Hebrew  signify  Anointed,  it  is  evi- 
dent that  Christ  is  the  same  as  Anointed,  and  likewise  the 
same  as  King,  for  kings  in  general  were  called  the  anointed. 

A.  3008. 

Dominion  is  predicated  of  good,  because  from  good  the 
Lord  is  called  Lord,  and  kingdom  is  predicated  of  truth, 
because  from  this  the  Lord  is  called  King.  So  likewise 
as  applied  to  men  in  David.  E.  685. 

The  rulers  take  counsel  against  the  Lord  and  His 
Anointed.  D.  P.,  Page  63. 


6  PSALM   II. 

2-12.  His  anger  will  shortly  burn  signifies  the  last  judg- 
ment from  Him.  D.  P.,  Page  58. 

2,  6.  Among  the  ancients,  when  all  external  worship  was 
performed  by  representatives,  namely  by  such  things  as 
represented  the  interior  principles  which  are  of  faith  and 
of  love  from  the  Lord  and  to  Him,  thus  which  are  Divine, 
anointing  was  instituted  for  the  reason  that  oil,  by  which 
anointing  was  performed,  signified  the  good  of  love. 

A.  9954. 
The  kings  of  the  earth  stand  for  falses,  and  the  rulers 
for  evils  which  are  from  the  hells,  against  which  the  Lord, 
when  He  was  in  the  world,  fought  and  which  He  con- 
quered and  subdued.  The  Anointed  of  Jehovah  is  the 
Lord  as  to  the  Divine  Human,  for  from  that  He  fought. 
Zion  the  mountain  of  holiness,  over  which  He  is  said  to 
be  anointed  for  a  king,  is  the  celestial  kingdom,  which  is 
the  good  of  love,  and  which  is  the  inmost  of  heaven  and 
the   inmost  of  the   church.  A.  9954. 

Oil  signifies  celestial  good.  The  reason  why  anointing 
with  the  oil  of  holiness  was  commanded  is  because  oil 
signified  the  good  of  love,  and  represented  the  Lord,  who 
as  to  His  Human  is  the  very  and  the  only  Anointed  of 
Jehovah,  anointed  not  with  oil,  but  with  the  Divine  good 
itself  of  the  Divine  love.  R.  779. 

They  afterwards  anointed  kings  and  they  were  called 
the  anointed  of  Jehovah.  The  reason  why  kings  were 
anointed  was  that  they  might  represent  the  Lord  as  to 
judgment  from  Divine  truth.  E.  375. 

The  Lord  is  also  understood  by  the  Anointed  of  Je- 
hovah.    See  also  A.  9954.  E.  375. 

2,  6,  7,  8,  12.     Verses  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  58. 

3,  4.  But  men  should  separate  themselves  from  these,  be- 
cause they  are  nothing  before  the  Lord,  P.  P. 

5.  and  will  be  destroyed.  P.  P. 

6.  By  virtue  of  truths  from  the  Lord  Zion  was  called  the 
mountain  of  holiness.  R.  586. 


PSALM   II.  7 

6,  7,  8.  The  Lord  will  put  on  the  Human  and  will  establish 
the  church,     .  P.  P. 

6-12.  Now  follow  some  passages  concerning  the  coming  of 
the  Lord,  collected  from  the  prophecies  of  the  Old  Word. 
Psalm  xl.  7:  Genesis  iii.  14,  15,  etc.  Coro.  60. 

6-8,  12.  To  these  may  be  added  some  passages  which 
speak  more  openly  of  the  coming  of  the  Lord.  See  also 
Isaiah  vii.  14:  Matthew  i.  22,  23:  Daniel  vii.  13,  etc. 

L.  6. 

That  heaven  and  the  church  where  the  Lord  alone  is 
worshipped  are  signified  by  mount  Zion,  may  be  evident. 

R.  612. 

Mount  Zion  signifies  heaven  and  the  church  where  the 
Lord  reigns  by  His  Divine  truth.  To  announce  concern- 
ing the  statute  (decree)  signifies  His  advent.  Thou  art 
my  Son,  to-day  have  I  begotten  thee,  signifies  the  Divine 
Human,  which  is  also  the  Son  of  God.  That  He  hath 
all  power  in  the  heavens  and  in  the  earth  is  understood 
by  verse  8.  That  there  must  be  conjunction  with  Him  by 
love  in  order  to  salvation  is  signified  by  verse  12.  The 
last  judgment  from  Him  is  signified  by,  His  anger  will 
kindle  shortly.  They  shall  be  saved  who  have  faith  in 
Him  is  signified  by,  happy  are  all  they  who  put  their  trust 
in  Him.  E.  850. 

7.     To-day  manifestly  stands  for  eternity.  A.  2838. 

To-day  denotes  that  the  Lord's  coming  is  present. 
Hence  also  it  is  that  an  entire  period  is  called  in  the  Word 
a  day,  its  first  state  twilight  and  morning,  and  the  last 
evening  and  night.  R.  4. 

Since  God  is  in  all  time  without  time,  therefore  in  His 
Word  He  speaks  of  the  past  and  of  the  future,  in  the 
present.  T.  30. 

It  is  known  that  these  things  are  said  concerning  the 
Lord,  and  that  by  to-day  is  understood  from  eternity 

E.  23. 

Paul  says  in  Acts  xiii.  t>3,  this  day  have  I  begotten  thee, 
refers  to  Jesus.  D.  P.,  Page  39. 


8  PSALM    II. 

7       Thou  art  my  Son,  this  day  have  I  begotten  thee. 

D.  P.,  Page  43- 

What  is  said  in  David  concerning  the  Son  "This  day 

have  I  begotten  thee"  is  not  that  it  is  from  eternity  but  in 

the  fulness  of  time,  for  the  future  in  God  is  present,  thus 

to-day.  Can.,  Page  43. 

7.  12.  Neither  is  a  Son  from  eternity  meant  here,  but  the 
Son  born  in  the  world,  for  this  is  a  prophecy  concerning 
the  Lord  who  was  coming,  and  therefore  it  is  called  a  de- 
cree which  Jehovah  announced  to  David.  This  day  is 
not  from  eternity,  but  in  time.  L.  19. 

Here  is  not  meant  a  Son  from  eternity,  but  the  Son  born 
in  the  world,  for  it  is  prophetical  of  the  Lord  who  was  to 
come,  wherefore  it  is  called  the  decree  which  Jehovah  de- 
clared to  David.  T.  101. 

From  the  foregoing  now  comes  this  conclusion,  that 
every  one  who  wishes  to  be  truly  a  Christian,  and  to  be 
saved  by  Christ  ought  to  believe  that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of 
the  living  God.  He  who  does  not  believe  this,  but  only 
that  He  is  the  Son  of  Mary  implants  in  himself  various 
ideas  concerning  Him  which  are  hurtful  and  destructive 
of  that  state  of  salvation.  T.  342. 

They  alone  have  faith  who  believe  in  the  Lord,  and 
others  have  no  faith.  T.  384. 

8.  In  this  Psalm  it  is  written  before,  I  have  anointed  my 
King  upon  Zion,  and  it  follows,  I  will  give  to  Him  the  na- 
tions for  an  inheritance.  T.  101. 

9.  A  rod  of  iron  stands  for  the  power  of  spiritual  truth  in 
natural,  for  all  natural  truth  in  which  there  is  spiritual 
truth  has  power.     Iron  is  natural  truth.  A.  4876. 

By  a  rod  or  staff  in  the  Word  power  is  signified,  and  by 
iron  natural  truth,  consequently  the  natural  sense  of  the 
Word,  and  at  the  same  time  the  natural  light  (lumen)  of 
man.     In  these  two  the  power  of  truth  consists.       R.  148. 

It  is  said  "the  vessels  of  a  potter"  because  by  them  are 
signified  the  tilings  which  are  of  one's  own  intelligence,  all 
of  which  are  falsities,  and  in  themselves  of  no  account. 

R.  149. 


PSALM  II.  9 

A  rod  of  iron  signifies  power,  whereby  the  Lord  chas- 
tises evils,  and  disperses  the  falsities  which  are  in  the 
natural  man.  E.  176. 

A  potter's  vessel  stands  for  those  things  in  the  natural 
man  which  are  from  self-derived  intelligence.  Being 
broken  to  shivers  stands  for  to  be  dispersed,  for  dispersion 
is  predicated  of  falsities  as  breaking  to  shivers  is  predi- 
cated of  a  potter's  vessel.  E.  177. 

That  a  rod  and  a  staff  signify  power,  and  indeed  the 
power  of  Divine  truth  arises  especially  from  their  being 
branches  or  boughs  of  trees,  which  signify  the  knowledges 
of  truth  and  good,  which  are  the  truths  of  the  natural  man, 
and  as  they  also  support  the  body,  they  signify  power. 
This  is  still  more  the  case  with  a  rod  of  iron,  because  iron 
signifies  the  truth  of  the  natural  man.  By  virtue  of  its 
hardness  it  signifies  power  which  cannot  be  resisted. 

E.  727. 

and  will  disperse  falsities  that  are  from  evil.  P.  P. 

10.     By  kings  here  are  not  meant  kings,  but  they  who  are  in 

Divine  truths  from  the  Lord,  and  abstractly  the  Divine 

truths  from  which  is  wisdom.  R.  20. 

Kings  signify  those  who  from  the  Lord  are  principled 
in  truths  derived  from  good.  E.  31. 

10-12.  Kings  stand  for  those  who  are  in  truths,  and  from 
truths  they  are  often  called  the  "king's  sons."  "The 
Son"  here  stands  for  the  Lord,  who  is  here  called  the  Son 
because  He  is  the  truth  itself,  and  all  truth  is  from  Him. 

A.  2015. 

Let  them  therefore  acknowledge  and  worship  the  Di- 
vine Human  of  the  Lord,  lest  they  perish.  P.  P. 
12.     The  Lord  is  treated  of,  whose  Divine  Human  is  the 
Son.     To  kiss  Him  is  to  be  conjoined  to  Him  by  the  faith 
of  love.                                                                       A.  3574. 

By  blowing  with  the  nostrils,  or  breathing,  is  signified 
to  be  angry.  A.  8286. 

The  reason  why  anger  grounded  in  the  affection  of  evil 


IO  PSALM   II. 

12  is  fire,  is  because  anger  is  from  that  source,  for  when  what 
a  man  loves  is  attacked  the  fiery  principle  bursts  forth,  and 
as  if  it  were  burns.  Hence  it  is  that  anger  is  described  in 
the  Word  by  fire  and  is  said  to  burn.  Anger  is  attributed 
to  Jehovah,  that  is  to  the  Lord,  but  it  appertains  to  man. 

A.  9143. 

The  Lord  is  here  called  a  Son  from  the  truth  of  faith, 
which  is  from  Him.  A.  9309. 

Where  a  last  judgment  is  impending  the  Lord  with 
heaven  draws  near,  and  of  those  who  are  below  in  the 
world  of  spirits  only  those  can  endure  the  Lord's  coming 
who  are  interiorly  good.  That  the  day  of  the  Lord's 
anger  signifies  the  last  judgment  is  plainly  manifest. 

R.  340. 

For  His  anger  will  shortly  burn.  D.  P.,  Page  71. 


PSALM  III. 

A  Psalm  of  David,  when  he  fled  from  Absalom  his  son. 

i.     Jehovah,  how  are  mine  adversaries  increased! 
Many  are  they  that  rise  up  against  me. 

2.  Many  there  are  that  say  of  my  soul, 

There  is  no  help  for  him  in  God.  [Selah 

3.  But  thou,  O  Jehovah,  art  a  shield  about  me; 
My  glory,  and  the  lifter  up  of  my  head. 

4.  I  cry  unto  Jehovah  with  my  voice, 

And  he  answereth  me  out  of  his  holy  hill.  [Selah 

5.  I  laid  me  down  and  slept; 

I  awaked;  for  Jehovah  sustaineth  me. 

6.  I  will  not  be  afraid  of  ten  thousands  of  the  people 
That  have  set  themselves  against  me  round  about. 

7.  Arise,  O  Jehovah;  save  me,  O  my  God: 

For  thou  hast  smitten  all  mine  enemies  upon  the  cheek 

bone; 
Thou  hast  broken  the  teeth  of  the  wicked. 

8.  Salvation  belongeth  unto  Jehovah: 

Thy  blessing  be  upon  thy  people.  [Selah 


PSALM   III.  II 


Psalm  III. 


1-9.  Respecting  the  Lord  when  He  was  in  temptations  and 
subjugated  the  hells,  and  was  then  in  a  state  of  humilia- 
tion in  which  He  prayed  to  the  Father.  P.  P. 

2,  3.  Enemies  stand  for  evils  and  the  falses  thence  derived, 
for  these  are  the  adversaries  in  the  spiritual  sense. 

A.  10481. 
In  various  passages  of  the  Word  mention  is  made  of 
foes  and  enemies,  and  thereby  are  understood  evils  and 
falses,  by  foes  evils  and  by  enemies  falses;  for  the  Word 
in  its  interior  is  spiritual,  wherefore  no  other  than  spir- 
itual foes  and  enemies  can  be  there  understood.     E.  671. 

5.  The  Lord  in  heaven  and  hence  heaven  itself  is  called 
"the  habitation  of  holiness,"  and  also  "the  mountain  of 
holiness,"  inasmuch  as  the  Lord  alone  is  holy.     A.  9229. 

By  virtue  of  truths  from  the  Lord  the  angels  are  called 
holy,  and  the  prophets  likewise.  Hence  it  is  that  Zion 
was  called  the  mountain  of  holiness.  R.  586. 

6,  7.  To  lay  me  down  and  sleep  signifies  a  state  of  tran- 
quillity and  security.  A  state  of  peace  and  tranquillity  is 
signified  by  lying  down.  A.  3696. 

8.  That  to  inflict  a  blow  or  to  smite  the  cheek  means  to 
destroy  truths  is  plain  from  passages  in  the  Word,  where 
mention  is  made  of  smiting  the  cheek.  And  because  in 
the  genuine  sense  it  signifies  the  destruction  of  truth, 
therefore  in  the  opposite  sense  it  signifies  the  destruction 
of  falsity,  in  which  sense  it  occurs  here.  A.  9048. 

The  teeth  of  the  wicked  to  be  broken  stand  for  the 
falsities  by  which  they  destroy  truths.  A.  9052. 

That  teeth  signify  the  ultimates  of  the  life  of  man  which 
are  called  sensual  things,  which  when  they  are  separated 
from  the  interiors  of  the  mind  are  in  mere  falsities  and 
offer  violence  to  truths,  and  destroy  them,  may  be  evident. 
See  also  Psalm  lvii.  4.  R.  435. 


12  PSALM   III. 

8  By  smiting  the  enemies  on  the  cheek  bone  is  signified 
the  destruction  of  interior  falsities  of  those  who  are  against 
the  goods  and  the  truths  of  the  church,  such  persons  with 
the  falsities  of  their  evils  being  understood  by  enemies  in 
the  Word.  To  break  the  teeth  of  the  ungodly  signifies  to 
destroy  exterior  falsities,  which  are  such  as  have  their 
foundation  in  the  fallacies  of  the  senses,  and  are  thence 
confirmed.  E.  556. 

Arise,  O  Jehovah,  save  me,  O  my  God!  D.  P.,  Page  63. 

9.  The  blessing  of  Jehovah  upon  His  people  signifies  the 
influx  and  reception  of  good  and  truth.  They  are  called 
the  people  of  Jehovah,  who  are  in  spiritual  good.     E.  340. 


PSALM  IV. 

For  the  Chief  Musician;  on  stringed  instruments.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     Answer  me  when  I  call,  O  God  of  my  righteousness; 
Thou  hast  set  me  at  large  when  I  was  in  distress: 
Have  mercy  upon  me,  and  hear  my  prayer. 

2.  O  ye  sons  of  men,  how  long  shall  my  glory  be  turned 

into  dishonor? 
How  long  will  ye  love  vanity,  and  seek  after  falsehood  ? 

[Selah 

3.  But  know  that  Jehovah  hath  set  apart  for  himself  him 

that  is  godly: 
Jehovah  will  hear  when  I  call  unto  him. 

4.  Stand  in  awe,  and  sin  not: 

Commune  with  your  own  heart  upon  your  bed,  and  be 
still.  [Selah 

5.  Offer  the  sacrifices  of  righteousness, 
And  put  your  trust  in  Jehovah. 

6.  Many  there  are  that  say,  Who  will  show  us  any  good  ? 
Jehovah,  lift  thou  up  the  light  of  thy  countenance  upon 

us. 

7.  Thou  hast  put  gladness  in  my  heart, 


PSALM   IV.  13 

More  than  they  have  when  their  grain  and  their  new 

wine  are  increased. 
In  peace  will  I  both  lay  me  down  and  sleep; 
For  thou,  Jehovah,  alone  makest  me  dwell  in  safety. 


Psalm  IV. 

1-3.     Respecting  the  Lord,  when  in  great  temptations. 

P.  P. 

2.  We  may  often  read  in  the  Word  that  the  Lord  answers 
those  who  call  and  cry.  R.  376. 

That  truth  is  signified  by  breadth  may  be  evident  by 
these  passages  Psalm  xxxi.  8;  cxviii.  5;  xviii.  19:  Hosea 
iv.  16,  etc.  R.  861. 

The  expression  "to  answer"  frequently  occurs  in  the 
Word  and  when  predicated  of  the  Lord  signifies  influx, 
inspiration,  perception  and  information,  likewise  mercy 
and  aid.     See  Isaiah  xlix.  8.  E.  471. 

4.  That  a  bed  signifies  doctrine  is  from  correspondence, 
for  as  the  body  reclines  in  its  bed,  so  does  the  mind  in  its 
doctrine.  But  by  a  bed  is  signified  the  doctrine  which 
any  one  procures  to  himself  either  from  the  Word  or  from 
his  own  intelligence,  for  in  it  his  mind  rests,  and  as  if  it 
were  sleeps.  R.  137. 

They  should  fear  Him,  for  He  has  protection  from  the 
Father.  P.  P. 

5-9.     Exhortation  to  repent.  P.  P. 

7.  Among  the  ancients  the  face  signified  the  internals,  for 
the  reason  that  internals  shine  forth  through  the  face. 
When  charity  shone  from  the  face  the  countenance  was 
said  to  be  lifted  up,  and  when  the  opposite  the  countenance 
was  said  to  fall.  Therefore  it  is  predicated  of  the  Lord 
that  He  lifts  up  His  countenance  upon  man  —  as  in  the 
Blessing  —  Numbers  vi.  26  and  Psalm  iv,  6,  7  —  by 
which  is  signified  that  the  Lord  gives  man  charity. 

A.  358- 


14  PSALM  IV. 

7  By  the  faces  of  Jehovah  is  meant  the  Divine,  and  what- 
soever is  of  the  Divine,  thus  mercy,  peace,  and  all  good, 
but  in  the  universal  sense  the  Divine  truth,  since  in  the 
Divine  truth  is  all  good.  A.  10579. 

By  seeing  the  face  of  the  Lord  is  not  meant  to  see  His 
face,  but  to  know  and  acknowledge  Him  as  He  is  with 
regard  to  His  Divine  attributes,  which  are  many.  They 
who  are  conjoined  with  Him  by  love  know  Him  and  thus 
see  His  face.  R.  939. 

By  the  light  of  the  countenance  of  Jehovah  is  under- 
stood the  Divine  truth  from  the  Divine  love,  thence  also 
the  expression  implies  intelligence  and  wisdom,  for  from 
the  Divine  truth,  or  the  Divine  light  in  the  heavens  are 
derived  all  the  wisdom  and  intelligence,  both  of  angels  and 
men.  E.  412. 

7,  8.  The  face  of  Jehovah  or  of  the  Lord  is  mercy,  peace 
and  every  good,  as  is  clearly  evident  from  the  blessing, 
also  in  Numbers  vi.  25,  26.  A.  222. 

Lifting  up  the  light  of  the  countenance  means  to  give 
good  from  mercy.  A.  5585. 

7-9.  By  peace  are  signified  all  the  things  in  the  complex 
which  are  from  the  Lord,  and  thence  all  the  things  of 
heaven  and  the  church,  and  the  blessedness  of  life  in 
them.  These  are  of  peace  in  the  highest  or  inmost  sense. 
It  follows  from  this  that  charity,  spiritual  security  and 
internal  rest  are  peace.  R.  306. 

In  these  words  is  described  the  peace  which  they  pos- 
sess who  are  in  conjunction  with  the  Lord,  by  the  recep- 
tion of  Divine  good  and  Divine  truth  from  Him.  It  is 
peace  in  which  heavenly  joy  is  contained  and  from  which 
it  is  derived.  E.  365. 

9.     Making  to  dwell  in  safety  signifies  a  state  of  peace. 

A.  3384. 

See  Psalm  hi.  6,  7.  A.  3696. 


PSALM  V.  15 

PSALM  V. 

For  the  Chief  Musician;  with  the  Nehiloth.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

1.  Give  ear  to  my  words,  0  Jehovah, 
Consider  my  meditation. 

2.  Hearken  unto  the  voice  of  my  cry,  my  King,  and  my 

God; 
For  unto  thee  do  I  pray. 

3.  O  Jehovah,  in  the  morning  shalt  thou  hear  my  voice; 
In  the  morning  will  I  order  my  prayer  unto  thee,  and 

will  keep  watch. 

4.  For  thou  art  not  a  God  that  hath  pleasure  in  wickedness : 
Evil  shall  not  sojourn  with  thee. 

5.  The  arrogant  shall  not  stand  in  thy  sight: 
Thou  hatest  all  workers  of  iniquity. 

6.  Thou  wilt  destroy  them  that  speak  lies: 

Jehovah  abhorreth  the  bloodthirsty  and  deceitful  man. 

7.  But  as  for  me,  in  the  abundance  of  thy  loving  kindness 

will  I  come  into  thy  house: 
In  thy  fear  will  I  worship  toward  thy  holy  temple. 

8.  Lead  me,  O  Jehovah,  in  thy  righteousness  because  of 

mine  enemies; 
Make  thy  way  straight  before  my  face. 

9.  For  there  is  no  faithfulness  in  their  mouth; 
Their  inward  part  is  very  wickedness; 
Their  throat  is  an  open  sepulchre; 

They  flatter  with  their  tongue. 
10.     Hold  them  guilty,  O  God; 

Let  them  fall  by  their  own  counsels; 

Thrust  them  out  in  the  multitude  of  their  transgressions ; 

For  they  have  rebelled  against  thee. 
n.     But  let  all  those  that  take  refuge  in  thee  rejoice, 

Let  them  ever  shout  for  joy,  because  thou  defendest 
them: 

Let  them  also  that  love  thy  name  be  joyful  in  thee. 
12.     For  thou  wilt  bless  the  righteous; 

O  Jehovah,  thou  wilt  compass  him  with  favor  as  with 
a  shield. 


1 6  PSALM   V. 


Psalm  V. 


-4,  8,  9,  12,  13.     Prayer  of  the  Lord  to  the  Father  for 
help.  P.  P. 

The  signification  of  the  morning  as  standing  for  the 
Lord  in  regard  to  His  Divine  Human.  We  often  read  of 
the  morning  in  the  Word,  and  the  signification  of  the  term 
differs  according  to  the  series  of  things  treated  of  in  the 
internal  sense.  In  the  supreme  sense  it  signifies  the  Lord 
and  also  His  coming.  In  the  internal  sense  it  signifies 
His  kingdom  and  church,  and  their  state  of  peace. 

E.  179. 
-7,  10,  11.     Against  the  evil,  falsifiers  and  hypocrites. 

P.  P. 

He  who  is  in  guile  meditates  evil,  and  feeds  his  under- 
standing by  it,  and  enjoys  it,  and  thus  destroys  every- 
thing in  his  mind  characteristic  of  man,  that  is  of  life  from 
the  good  of  faith  and  of  charity.  .  .  .  Guile  is  called 
hypocrisy  when  piety  is  carried  in  the  mouth  and  impiety 
in  the  heart,  or  when  charity  is  carried  in  the  mouth  but 
hatred  in  the  heart,  or  when  innocence  is  carried  in  the 
face  and  gesture  but  cruelty  in  the  soul  and  breast. 

A.  9013. 

That  blood  signifies  the  Divine  truth  may  be  clearly 
manifest  from  its  opposite  sense,  in  which  it  signifies  the 
Divine  truth  of  the  Word  falsified  or  profaned.       R.  379. 

The  deceitful  are  signified  in  the  Word  by  poisonous 
serpents,  and  by  crocodiles  and  vipers,  and  deceit  is  sig- 
nified by  their  poison.  By  a  lie  in  the  Word  falsity  and 
false  speaking  are  signified,  and  by  deceit  each  of  these  by 
design.  R.  624. 

In  the  spiritual  sense  to  bear  false  witness  means  to 
persuade  that  falsity  of  faith  is  truth  of  faith,  and  that  evil 
of  life  is  good  of  life,  and  the  reverse.  .  .  .  This  falsity  is 
meant  in  the  Word  by  a  lie,  and  the  design  by  deceit. 

T.  322. 


PSALM   V.  17 

Blood  in  the  genuine  sense  signifies  the  Divine  truth, 
and  with  the  recipients  thereof  truth  from  good,  hence  in 
the  opposite  sense  it  signifies  violence  offered  to  the  Divine 
truth,  and  with  those  who  offer  what  is  false  from  evil. 
Here  by  the  bloody  and  deceitful  those  are  meant  who  are 
in  falsities  from  evil.  E.  329. 

By  violence  and  by  blood  is  signified  the  perversion  of 
truth  and  falsification  of  the  Word,  and  by  guile  is  sig- 
nified from  a  deliberate  purpose.  E.  866. 
8.  The  temple  is  called  the  temple  of  holiness,  for  the  tem- 
ple in  the  abstract  sense  signifies  heaven  and  the  church 
as  to  Divine  truth.  R.  586. 
10.  The  throat  an  open  sepulchre  is  predicated  of  evil,  the 
tongue  speaking  smooth  things,  of  falsity.               A.  3527. 

The  midst  also  signifies  the  inmost  and  thence  all,  in 
many  places  in  the  Word,  even  where  the  evil  are  treated 
of.  R.  44. 

"  The  right  is  not  in  their  mouth,  wretchedness  is  in  the 
midst  of  them."  By  wretchedness  is  signified  inco- 
herency,  and  thus  by  wretched  one  who  thinks  about  the 
things  of  the  church  without  coherence.  The  reason  is 
because  they  of  whom  these  things  are  said  (Revelation 
iii.  17)  at  one  time  deny  God,  heaven,  eternal  life  and  the 
holiness  of  the  Word,  and  at  another  time  acknowledge 
them,  on  which  account  what  they  build  up  with  one  hand 
they  destroy  with  the  other.  These  things  are  meant  by 
wretchedness  in  Isaiah  xlvii.  10,  11 :  Psalm  v.  10:  Hosea  ii. 
6  (a  wall  of  loose  stones)  etc.  R.  208. 

Wretchedness  signifies  falsities  not  cohering  with  any 
truth.  E.  237. 

In  the  midst  signifies  the  whole,  because  in  the  inmost, 
for  such  as  the  inmost  is,  such  is  the  whole.  From  the 
inmost  all  other  things  are  produced  and  derived,  as  the 
body  is  from  its  soul.  E.  313. 

The  belly  (inward  part)  signifies  the  interiors.  Here 
also  wickedness  or  perditions,  that  is  evil  thoughts,  are 
attributed  to  the  belly.  E.  622. 


l8  PSALM   V. 

10  The  mouth  signifies  outwardly  or  without,  and  the 
midst  inwardly  or  within.  That  within  is  hell  is  signified 
by  their  throat  is  an  open  sepulchre;  and  that  without 
what  is  hypocritical  and  as  it  were  sane  is  signified  by  they 
flatter  with  their  tongue.  E.  659. 

11.  As  transgressions  are  what  is  contrary  to  the  truths  of 
faith,  they  are  also  deviations  and  defections  which  like- 
wise in  the  original  tongue  are  signified  by  the  same  ex- 
pression, as  is  evident  here.  The  expression  to  rebel  is 
used  when  there  is  defection  and  deviation.       A.  9156. 

12.  In  all  these  passages  exultation  signifies  the  delight 
originating  in  love  and  affection  for  good.  Gladness  sig- 
nifies the  pleasantness  originating  in  the  love  and  affection 
for  truth.  E.  660. 

13.  The  breastplates  being  as  of  iron  (Revelation  ix.  9) 
signify  that  the  reasonings  appeared  to  them  so  strong, 
that  they  could  not  be  refuted,  for  iron  from  its  hardness 
signifies  strength.  By  breastplates  (shield,  buckler)  are 
signified  protections,  because  they  protect  the  breast. 

R.436. 
Here  good  pleasure  (favour)  evidently  means  the  Divine 
love  from  which  the  Lord  defends  every  one.     His  de- 
fence from  love  is  signified  by  "  thou  wilt  compass  him  as 
with  a  shield."  E.  295. 


PSALM  VI. 


For  the  Chief  Musician;  on  stringed  instruments,  set  to  the  Sheminith. 
A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     O  Jehovah,  rebuke  me  not  in  thine  anger, 
Neither  chasten  me  in  thy  hot  displeasure. 

2.     Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  Jehovah;  for  I  am  withered 
away: 
O  Jehovah,  heal  me;  for  my  bones  are  troubled. 


PSALM  VI.  19 

3.  My  soul  also  is  sore  troubled: 
And  thou,  O  Jehovah,  how  long? 

4.  Return,  O  Jehovah,  deliver  my  soul: 
Save  me  for  thy  loving-kindness'  sake. 

5.  For  in  death  there  is  no  remembrance  of  thee: 
In  Sheol  who  shall  give  thee  thanks  ? 

6.  I  am  weary  with  my  groaning; 
Every  night  make  I  my  bed  to  swim; 
I  water  my  couch  with  my  tears. 

7.  Mine  eye  wasteth  away  because  of  grief; 

It  waxeth  old  because  of  all  mine  adversaries. 

8.  Depart  from  me,  all  ye  workers  of  iniquity; 

For  Jehovah  hath  heard  the  voice  of  my  weeping. 

9.  Jehovah  hath  heard  my  supplication; 
Jehovah  will  receive  my  prayer. 

10.     All  mine  enemies  shall  be  put  to  shame  and  sore 
troubled: 
They  shall  turn  back,  they  shall  be  put  to  shame 
suddenly. 


Psalm  VI. 

1-8.  Prayer  of  the  Lord  to  the  Father,  when  He  was  in  the 
last  state  of  temptations,  which  state  is  despair,         P.  P. 

2.  By  the  nostrils  when  predicated  of  Jehovah  or  the  Lord 
is  also  signified  wrath,  thus  the  punishment,  vastation  and 
damnation  of  those  who  are  in  evils  and  falsities. 

A.  8286. 

6.  From  these  passages  it  may  be  seen  what  is  signified  by 
the  dead,  namely,  they  who  are  destitute  of  the  life  of 
heaven,  consequently  who  are  in  evils,  and  thence  in 
falsities.  E.  186. 

7.  That  weeping  is  grief  of  mind  may  appear  from  this 
consideration,  that  it  bursts  forth  from  the  heart,  and 
breaks  out  into  lamentations  through  the  mouth.  That 
shedding  of  tears  is  grief  of  mind  may  appear  from  this 
consideration,  that  it  issues  forth  from  the  thought  through 


20  PSALM   VI. 

7  the  eyes.  Here  it  is  to  be  observed  that  the  expression 
"all  the  night  make  I  my  bed  to  swim"  has  reference  to 
weeping  which  is  of  the  mouth,  because  it  is  said  of  groan- 
ing, whereas  to  water  the  couch,  which  is  yet  a  similar 
thing,  is  said  of  tears.  These  passages  are  adduced  in 
order  that  it  may  be  known  that  when  two  similar  expres- 
sions occur  in  the  Word,  which  is  especially  the  case  in  the 
prophets,  they  are  not  vain  repetitions,  but  that  one  has 
reference  to  good,  and  the  other  to  truth.  E.  484. 

9-1 1.     and  being  helped,  He  repressed  the  hells.         P.  P. 


PSALM  VII. 


Shiggaion  of  David,  which  he  sang  unto  Jehovah,  concerning  the 
words  of  Cush  a  Benjamite. 

i.     O  Jehovah  my  God,  in  thee  do  I  take  refuge: 

Save  me  from  all  them  that  pursue  me,  and  deliver  me, 

2.  Lest  they  tear  my  soul  like  a  lion, 

Rending  it  in  pieces,  while  there  is  none  to  deliver. 

3.  O  Jehovah  my  God,  if  I  have  done  this; 
If  there  be  iniquity  in  my  hands; 

4.  If  I  have  rewarded  evil  unto  him  that  was  at  peace  writh 

me 
(Yea,  I  have  delivered  him  that  without  cause  was 
mine  adversary); 

5.  Let  the  enemy  pursue  my  soul,  and  overtake  it; 
Yea,  let  him  tread  my  life  down  to  the  earth, 

And  lay  my  glory  in  the  dust.  [Selah 

6.  Arise,  O  Jehovah,  in  thine  anger; 

Lift  up  thyself  against  the  rage  of  mine  adversaries, 
And  awake  for  me;  thou  hast  commanded  judgment. 

7.  And  let  the  congregation  of  the  peoples  compass  thee 

about; 
And  over  them  return  thou  on  high. 

8.  Jehovah  ministereth  judgment  to  the  peoples: 


PSALM   VII  21 

Judge  me,  O  Jehovah,  according  to  my  righteousness, 
and  to  mine  integrity  that  is  in  me. 
9.     Oh  let  the  wickedness  of  the  wicked  come  to  an  end, 
but  establish  thou  the  righteous: 
For  the  righteous  God  trieth  the  minds  and  hearts. 
10.     My  shield  is  with  God, 

Who  saveth  the  upright  in  heart. 
n.     God  is  a  righteous  judge, 

Yea,  a  God  that  hath  indignation  every  day. 

12.  If  a  man  turn  not,  he  will  whet  his  sword; 
He  hath  bent  his  bow,  and  made  it  ready; 

13.  He  hath  also   prepared  for  him   the  instruments  of 

death; 
He  maketh  his  arrows  fiery  shafts. 

14.  Behold,  he  travaileth  with  iniquity; 

Yea,  he  hath  conceived  mischief,  and  brought  forth 
falsehood. 

15.  He  hath  made  a  pit,  and  digged  it, 

And  is  fallen  into  the  ditch  which  he  made. 

16.  His  mischief  shall  return  upon  his  own  head, 

And  his  violence  shall  come  down  upon  his  own  pate. 

17.  I   will   give   thanks   unto    Jehovah  according  to   his 

righteousness, 
And  will  sing  praise  to  the  name  of  Jehovah  Most  High. 

Psalm  VII. 

I-3>  7_I2>  J8.  Prayer  of  the  Lord  to  the  Father  for  help 
against  the  hells.  P.  P. 

3.  Many  a  time  in  the  Word  that  which  is  torn  is  mentioned 
and  by  it  is  meant  in  the  proper  sense  that  which  has  per- 
ished by  falsities  from  evils,  but  that  which  has  perished 
by  evils  is  called  a  carcass.  A  lion  represents  those  who 
vastate  the  church  A.  5828. 

4>  5>  9-1 1.     For  He  is  just,  and  there  is  no  evil  in  Him  — 

P.  P. 

6.  By  enemy  here  also  is  signified  evil,  in  general  the  devil, 
that  is  hell  whence  evil  comes.     By  treading  down  life  to 


22  PSALM   VII. 

6  the  earth  and  making  glory  to  dwell  In  the  dust  is  signified 
to  destroy  by  the  corporeal  sensual  all  the  truths  of  heaven 
and  of  the  church,  for  these  constitute  spiritual  life  and 
are  also  signified  by  glory,  dust  is  also  predicated  of  the 
corporeal  sensual,  which  is  also  understood  by  walking 
upon  the  belly  and  eating  dust,  as  is  everywhere  said  of 
the  serpent.  E.  632. 

8,  9.  To  execute  judgment  is  to  judge  either  to  death  which 
is  damnation,  or  to  life  which  is  salvation.  Salvation  or 
damnation  is  also  signified  by  judgment  where  mention 
is  made  of  the  day,  or  hour  of  judgment.  A.  9857. 

10.  In  these  passages  spiritual  things  are  signified  by  the 
reins,  and  celestial  things  by  the  heart,  that  is  the  things 
which  are  of  truth  are  signified  by  the  reins,  and  those 
which  are  of  good  by  the  heart.  The  reason  of  this  is 
that  the  reins  purify  the  serum,  and  the  heart  purifies  the 
blood  itself.  Hence  by  trying,  exploring  and  searching 
the  reins  is  signified  to  try,  explore  and  search  out  the 
quantity  and  quality  of  truth,  or  the  quantity  and  quality 
of  faith  in  man.  A.  5385. 

By  the  kidneys  are  signified  truths  exploring,  purifying 
and  chastising.  This  signification  is  grounded  in  their 
function.  To  search  and  prove  the  kidneys  stands  for 
to  explore  the  truths  of  faith,  and  to  search  and  prove  the 
heart  stands  for  to  explore  the  goods  of  love,  for  the  heart 
stands  for  the  good  of  love.  A.  10032. 

By  the  reins  in  these  places  are  signified  the  truths  of 
intelligence  and  faith,  and  by  the  heart  the  good  of  love 
and  charity.  R.  140. 

The  righteous  stands  for  those  who  love  to  do  what  is 
good  and  true,  whose  truths  and  goods  are  purified  by  the 
Lord,  which  is  signified  by  His  seeing  and  trying  the  reins 
and  the  hearts.  E.  167. 

10,  11.  That  a  shield  means  protection  against  evils  and 
falsities,  which  is  trusted,  is  evident  without  explanation, 
for  from  common  usage  the  expression  has  become  fa- 


PSALM   VII. 


23 


miliar  that  Jehovah  is  a  shield  and  a  buckler.  But  what 
is  specifically  signified  by  a  shield  may  be  evident  from  the 
Word  —  that  as  regards  the  Lord  it  signifies  protection, 
and  as  regards  man  trust  in  the  Lord's  protection.  Here 
trust  is  meant.  A.  1788. 

12-14.  It  is  here  attributed  to  God  that  He  is  angry  with 
the  wicked,  that  He  whets  His  sword,  that  He  bends  and 
makes  ready  His  bow,  prepares  instruments  of  death,  and 
ordains  His  arrows,  but  in  the  spiritual  sense  it  is  under- 
stood that  man  acts  thus  to  himself.  Those  things  are 
attributed  to  God  in  the  sense  of  the  letter,  because  that 
sense  is  natural  and  for  the  natural  man,  who  believes  that 
God  is  to  be  feared  on  account  thereof,  and  fear  with  him 
operates  the  same  as  love  does  afterwards  when  he  be- 
comes spiritual.  Hence  it  is  evident  what  is  here  signified 
by  those  words,  namely,  that  the  wicked  are  angry  with 
God,  that  they  whet  the  sword  against  themselves.  By 
their  whetting  the  sword  is  signified,  that  they  procure  to 
themselves  falsity  by  which  they  fight  against  truth.  By 
their  bending  the  bow  and  making  it  ready  is  signified, 
that  from  falsities  they  make  to  themselves  doctrine 
against  truths.  By  their  preparing  the  instruments  of 
death,  and  ordaining  their  arrows  is  signified,  that  from 
infernal  love  they  make  to  themselves  false  principles  by 
which  they  destroy  good  and  its  truth.  E.  357. 

13.     A  sword  manifestly  stands  for  the  vastation  of  truth. 

A.  2799. 

13-17.     But  may  be  conquered.  P.  P. 

18.  From  these  passages  it  is  manifest  that  confession 
(praise)  has  reference  to  the  celestial  of  love,  and  is  dis- 
tinguished from  what  relates  to  the  spiritual  of  love,  for 
it  is  said  confession  and  the  voice  of  joy  (Psalm  xlii.  4), 
confession  being  what  is  celestial,  and  the  voice  of  joy, 
the  voice  of  them  that  make  merry  and  sing  praises  being 
what  is  spiritual.  A.  3880. 

Jehovah  is  called  the  Highest,  because  high  signified 


24  PSALM   VII 

18  heaven  and  the  Divine  therein,  therefore  Divine  worship 
was  instituted  on  mountains  and  on  high  places  by  those 
who  were  of  the  representative  church.  A.  8153. 

To  sing  a  song  signifies  confession  from  joy  of  heart, 
therefore  in  the  above  passages  (Psalm  xlii.  4;  cv.  1,  2; 
lvii.  7-9),  two  expressions  are  used,  namely,  to  confess  and 
to  sing,  E.  326. 


PSALM  VIII. 

For  the  Chief  Musician;  set  to  the  Gittith.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     O  Jehovah,  our  Lord,  How  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all 
the  earth, 
Who  hast  set  thy  glory  upon  the  heavens! 

2.  Out  of  the  mouth  of  babes  and  sucklings  hast  thou 

established  strength, 
Because  of  thine  adversaries, 
That  thou  mightest  still  the  enemy  and  the  avenger. 

3.  When  I  consider  thy  heavens,  the  work  of  thy  fingers, 
The  moon  and  the  stars,  which  thou  hast  ordained; 

4.  What  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him  ? 
And  the  son  of  man,  that  thou  visitest  him  ? 

5.  For  thou  hast  made  him  but  little  lower  than  God, 
And  crownest  him  with  glory  and  honor. 

6.  Thou  makest  him  to  have  dominion  over  the  works  of 

thy  hands; 
Thou  hast  put  all  things  under  his  feet: 

7.  All  sheep  and  oxen, 

Yea,  and  the  beasts  of  the  field, 

8.  The  birds  of  the  heavens,  and  the  fish  of  the  sea, 
Whatsoever  passeth  through  the  paths  of  the  seas. 

9.  O  Jehovah,  our  Lord,  How  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all 

the  earth! 


PSALM   VIII.  25 


Psalm  VIII. 

1-4,  10.  A  song  in  praise  of  the  Father  by  the  Lord  to  re- 
gard His  innocence,  and  give  help  against  the  hells.     P.  P. 

2.  6,  7,  10.     Passages  concerning  the  coming  of  the  Lord. 

Coro.  60. 

3.  That  in  the  Word  a  sucking  child  signifies  innocence  is 
also  plain  from  other  passages  (Matthew  xxi.  16),  where 
infants  stand  for  celestial  love,  and  sucklings  for  innocence. 

m  A.  3183. 

By  "Out  of  the  mouth  of  babes  and  sucklings  Thou 
hast  perfected  praise"  is  signified  that  praise  can  come  to 
the  Lord  by  no  other  way  than  through  innocence,  for 
by  this  alone  is  effected  all  communication  and  all  influx, 
and  consequently  access.  A.  5236. 

No  one  can  see  the  face  of  God  (Matthew  xviii.  10)  ex- 
cept from  innocence.  In  the  following  passages  also  in- 
nocence is  signified  by  infants,  or  little  children.   A.  5608. 

4.  The  signification  of  the  finger  of  God  is  power  from  the 
Divine.  The  finger  is  power  because  fingers  are  of  the 
hands,  and  by  hands  is  signified  power.  A.  7430. 

The  fingers  signify  power.  A.  10062. 

5.  To  remember  when  concerning  the  Lord,  means  to 
have  compassion  and  thus  to  preserve  or  deliver  from 
mercy.  Recollection  or  remembrance  cannot  be  predi- 
cated of  the  Lord,  since  things  past  and  future  in  Him  are 
eternal,  that  is,  are  present  from  eternity  to  eternity. 

A.  9849. 

5,  6.  Because  they  are  not  willing  to  understand  the  Word 
in  simplicity.  P.  P. 

6.  By  giving  to  the  Lord  glory  and  honour  nothing  else  is 
meant  in  the  Word  but  to  acknowledge  and  confess  that 
all  truth  and  all  good  are  from  Him,  and  thus  that  He  is 
the  only  God,  for  He  has  glory  from  the  Divine  truth,  and 
honour  from  the  Divine  good.  R.  249. 


26  PSALM   VIII. 

6  This  also  is  spoken  of  the  Lord.  His  state  of  humilia- 
tion is  described  by  His  being  made  a  little  lower  than  the 
angels,  His  state  of  glorification  by  His  being  crowned 
with  glory  and  honour.  By  glorifying  is  meant  the  unit- 
ing of  the  Lord's  Divine  itself  with  His  Human,  and  mak- 
ing this  latter  also  Divine.  E.  288. 

6,  7.     See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  L.  6. 

He  said  "  All  power  is  given  unto  me  in  heaven  and  in 

earth."  D.  P.,  Page  47. 

6,  7  et  seq.     Verses  6,  7  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  58. 

Verses  6,   7  again  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  58. 

7.  Since  the  Lord's  church  on  the  earth  is  under  the 
heavens,  it  is  therefore  called  the  footstool  of  His  feet. 

R.  470. 

This  is  spoken  of  the  Lord,  whose  dominion  over  all 

things  of  heaven  and  the  church  is  understood  by  all 

things  being  put  under  His  feet.  E.  606. 

7,  8.  This  is  said  of  the  Lord  whose  dominion  over  man 
and  over  the  things  pertaining  to  man  is  thus  described. 
Otherwise,  what  would  be  the  dominion  over  beasts  and 
fowls?  A.  776. 

The  subject  here  treated  of  is  the  Lord  and  His  power 
over  all  things  in  heaven  and  in  earth.  By  flocks  and 
herds  are  signified  the  interior  and  exterior  goods  apper- 
taining to  men,  and  by  beasts  the  affections  appertaining 
to  them.  A.  10609. 

7-9.  So  long  as  a  man  is  spiritual  his  dominion  proceeds 
from  the  external  man  to  the  internal  —  see  Genesis  i. 
27-.  But  when  he  becomes  celestial  and  does  good  from 
love,  his  dominion  proceeds  from  the  internal  man  to  the 
external,  just  as  the  Lord  says  in  David  of  himself,  and 
thus  at  the  same  time  of  the  celestial  man  who  is  His  like- 
ness. Here  therefore  the  beasts  are  first  mentioned,  then 
the  fowl  and  then  the  fishes  of  the  sea,  because  the  celestial 
man  goes  forth  from  love,  which  is  of  the  will.  It  is  other- 
wise with  the  spiritual  man  with  whom  the  fishes  and  the 


PSALM  VIII.  27 

birds  precede,  which  are  things  of  the  understanding  that 
relates  to  faith,  and  the  beasts  follow.  A.  52. 

Describing  the  dominion  of  the  Lord  in  man,  the  fish 
of  the  sea  standing  for  outward  knowledges.  A.  991. 

Since  the  affections  and  thence  the  perceptions  and  the 
thoughts  of  spirits  and  angels  in  the  spiritual  world  appear 
at  a  distance  in  the  forms  of  the  animals  or  creatures  upon 
the  earth  which  are  called  beasts,  of  the  creatures  in  the 
air  which  are  called  birds,  and  of  the  creatures  in  the  sea 
which  are  called  fishes,  therefore  beasts,  birds,  and  fishes 
are  so  often  mentioned  in  the  Word,  by  which  however 
nothing  else  is  meant.  This  verse  is  said  concerning  the 
Lord.  R.  405. 

In  these  places  men  as  to  their  affections  are  signified  by 
beasts.  R.  567. 

Birds  signify  the  things  which  are  of  the  understanding 
and  thence  of  thought  and  design.  This  is  clearly  mani- 
fest from  birds  in  the  spiritual  world.  R.  757. 

Here  the  subject  treated  of  is  the  Lord  and  His  Divine 
power  over  heaven  and  earth.  By  the  sheep  and  oxen, 
the  beasts  of  the  field,  the  fowl  of  the  air  and  the  fish  of  the 
sea  are  understood  men,  spirits  and  angels  as  to  things 
spiritual,  and  things  natural  pertaining  to  them.  By  the 
fish  of  the  sea  are  understood  those  who  are  in  the  ulti- 
mates  of  heaven.  E.  342. 

These  things  are  said  concerning  the  Lord,  and  concern- 
ing His  dominion.  That  He  has  dominion  over  the  angels 
in  the  heavens  and  over  man  on  the  earth  is  known  from 
the  Word,  for  He  himself  says  —  see  Matthew  xxviii.  18-; 
but  that  dominion  was  given  to  Him  over  animals,  birds 
and  fishes  is  not  of  sufficient  importance  to  be  mentioned 
in  the  Word,  where  all,  even  the  most  minute  things,  have 
respect  to  heaven  and  the  church.  Hence  it  may  appear 
that  by  the  flock  and  herd  are  signified  in  general  spiritual 
things  and  natural  things,  by  the  flock  things  spiritual,  and 
by  the  herd  things  natural  pertaining  to  man,  or  which  are 


28  PSALM   VIII. 

9  of  his  natural  and  spiritual  mind.  By  the  beasts  of  the 
field  are  signified  things  voluntary  which  pertain  to  the 
affections,  by  the  fowls  of  heaven  things  intellectual  which 
pertain  to  the  thoughts,  and  by  the  fishes  of  the  sea  things 
scientific  which  pertain  to  the  natural  man.  E.  513. 

The  subject  treated  of  in  the  whole  of  Psalm  viii.  is  con- 
cerning the  Lord  and  His  dominion  over  all  things  of 
heaven  and  the  church.  .  .  .  Spiritual  things  in  the  Word 
are  expressed  by  natural  things,  for  the  Word  in  its  interior 
is  spiritual.  Hence  by  flock,  herd,  beasts  of  the  field, 
birds  of  heaven,  and  fishes  of  the  sea  are  not  understood 
those  things,  but  spiritual  things  appertaining  to  heaven 
and  the  church.  E.  650. 

Treating  of  the  Lord,  of  whom  it  is  here  said  that  He 
shall  have  rule  over  all  things  of  the  hands  of  Jehovah,  by 
which  are  not  understood  terrestrial  things,  such  as  flocks, 
herds,  beasts,  birds  and  fishes,  for  what  would  these  be 
for  His  dominion  which  is  in  the  heavens,  and  from  the 
heavens  over  men  on  the  earths  whom  He  will  lead  to  life 
eternal,  wherefore  the  spiritual  things  of  the  church  are 
those  here  understood.  By  the  flocks  are  signified  in 
general  all  spiritual  things  with  man,  by  the  herds  natural 
things  with  him,  which  correspond  to  spiritual,  by  the 
beasts  of  the  fields  the  affections  of  good  in  the  natural 
man  which  are  of  the  church,  for  a  field  signifies  the 
church.  The  birds  of  heaven  signify  the  thoughts  of  the 
rational  man,  and  the  fishes  of  the  sea  scientifics. 

E.  1 100. 

The  state  of  His  glorification  is  described.  P.  P. 


PSALM   IX.  29 

PSALM  IX. 

For  the  Chief  Musician;  set  to  Muth-labben.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     I  will  give  thanks  unto  Jehovah  with  my  whole  heart; 
I  will  show  forth  all  thy  marvellous  works. 

2.  I  will  be  glad  and  exult  in  thee; 

I  will  sing  praise  to  thy  name,  O  thou  Most  High. 

3.  When  mine  enemies  turn  back, 

They  stumble  and  perish  at  thy  presence. 

4.  For  thou  hast  maintained  my  right  and  my  cause; 
Thou  sittest  in  the  throne  judging  righteously. 

5.  Thou  hast  rebuked  the  nations,  thou  hast  destroyed 

the  wicked; 
Thou  hast  blotted  out  their  name  for  ever  and  ever. 

6.  The  enemy  are  come  to  an  end,  they  are  desolate  for 

ever; 
And  the  cities  which  thou  hast  overthrown, 
The  very  remembrance  of  them  is  perished. 

7.  But  Jehovah  sitteth  as  king  for  ever: 

He  hath  prepared  his  throne  for  judgment; 

8.  And  he  will  judge  the  world  in  righteousness, 

He  will  minister  judgment  to  the  peoples  in  uprightness. 

9.  Jehovah  also  will  be  a  high  tower  for  the  oppressed, 
A  high  tower  in  times  of  trouble; 

10.  And  they  that  know  thy  name  will  put  their  trust  in 

thee; 
For  thou,  Jehovah,  hast  not  forsaken  them  that  seek 
thee. 

11.  Sing  praises  to  Jehovah,  who  dwelleth  in  Zion: 
Declare  among  the  people  his  doings. 

12.  For  he  that  maketh  inquisition  for  blood  remembereth 

them; 
He  forgetteth  not  the  cry  of  the  poor. 

13.  Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  Jehovah; 

Behold  my  affliction  which  I  suffer  of  them  that  hate 

me, 
Thou  that  liftest  me  up  from  the  gates  of  death; 

14.  That  I  may  show  forth  all  thy  praise. 


30  PSALM   IX. 

In  the  gates  of  the  daughter  of  Zion 
I  will  rejoice  in  thy  salvation. 

15.  The  nations  are  sunk  down  in  the  pit  that  they  made: 
In  the  net  which  they  hid  is  their  own  foot  taken. 

16.  Jehovah  hath  made  himself  known,  he  hath  executed 

judgment: 
The  wicked  is  snared  in  the  wrork  of  his  own  hands. 

[Higgaion.  Selah 

17.  The  wicked  shall  be  turned  back  unto  Sheol, 
Even  all  the  nations  that  forget  God. 

18.  For  the  needy  shall  not  always  be  forgotten, 
Nor  the  expectation  of  the  poor  perish  for  ever. 

19.  Arise,  O  Jehovah;  let  not  man  prevail: 
Let  the  nations  be  judged  in  thy  sight. 

20.  Put  them  in  fear,  O  Jehovah: 

Let  the  nations  know  themselves  to  be  but  men. 

[Selah 

Psalm  IX. 

1-9,  20,  21.     Thanksgivings  and  joy  of  the  Lord,  that  the 
evil  have  been  judged  and  destroyed.  P.  P. 

3.     See  Psalm  vii.   18.  A.  8153. 

5-8,  18.     Quoted  from  Zechariah  xiv.  part  of  verses  1-7. 

D.  P.,  Page  71. 

5-9,  18.     Of  the  last  judgment.     -  D.  P.,  Page  71. 

The  judgment  described.  D.  P.,  Page  72. 

5,  6,  8.     A  throne  signifies  heaven.     A  throne  also  signifies 
judgment  —  see  Matthew  xxv.  31,  etc.  R.  229. 

That  by  throne  is  here  signified  heaven  is  evident,  for 
it  is  said  that  heaven  is  Jehovah's  throne  that  he  hath  pre- 
pared in  the  heavens,  and  that  he  who  shall  swear  by 
heaven  sweareth  by  the  throne  of  God.  Not  that  Jehovah 
or  the  Lord  there  sits  upon  a  throne,  but  because  throne 
is  predicated  of  His  Divine  in  the  heavens,  and  it  also 
occasionally  appears  as  a  throne  to  those  to  whom  it  is 
given  to  look  into  heaven.  That  the  Lord  was  thus  seen 
appears  in  Isaiah  vi.  1.  E.  253. 


«£ 


PSALM   IX.  31 

5,  8.  A  throne  is  often  mentioned  in  the  Word  where  the 
subject  is  the  Divine  truth  and  judgment  therefrom. 

A-  53x3- 
5,  8,  9.     See  Psalm  vii.  8,  9.  A.  9857. 

8.  As  Jehovah,  that  is  the  Lord,  is  the  very  Esse  of  the  life 
of  all  therefore  to  sit  (endure)  is  predicated  of  Him  in 
various  parts  of  the  Word.     See  also  Psalm  i.  1.     E.  687. 

9.  By  the  world  the  church  is  signified,  in  like  manner  as 
by  earth,  but  it  is  to  be  known  that  when  the  world  and 
the  church  are  named  together,  the  church  as  to  good  is 
signified  by  the  world,  and  the  church  as  to  truth  by  the 
earth.  R.  551. 

Inasmuch  as  by  the  world  is  understood  the  church  as 
to  good,  and  justice  is  predicated  of  good,  therefore  it  is 
said:  Jehovah  shall  judge  the  world  in  justice,  and  inas- 
much as  people  are  called  they  who  are  in  truth,  and  up- 
rightness is  truth,  therefore  it  was  said:  He  shall  judge 
the  people  in  uprightness.  E.  741. 

10.  11.     And  the  good  have  been  delivered.  P.  P 

14.  That  by  death  is  signified  spiritual  death  or  damnation 
is  evident  from  very  many  passages  in  the  Word.    A.  61 19. 

By  the  dead  they  are  signified  who  are  destitute  of  the 
life  of  heaven,  consequently  who  are  in  evils  and  thence  in 
falsities.  E.  186. 

15.  That  the  celestial  church,  or  the  Lord's  celestial  king- 
dom is  called  the  daughter  of  Zion  from  affection  for  good, 
or  from  love  to  the  Lord  himself,  may  be  seen  in  Isaiah  x. 
32;  xvi.  1:  Jeremiah  iv.  31:  Micah  iv.  10,  13:  etc. 

A.  2362. 

In  many  places  we  read  of  the  virgin,  and  the  daughter 
of  Zion,  by  whom  is  not  meant  any  virgin  or  daughter 
there,  but  the  church  as  to  the  affection  of  good  and  truth, 
the  same  as  by  the  Bride  of  the  Lamb  in  Revelation 
xxi.  2,  9;  xxii.  17.  R#  6I2. 

Knowledges  of  truth  and  good  are  signified  by  gates. 
Gates  signify  introductory  truths  which  are  knowledges 
from  the  Word.  R.  800. 


32  PSALM    IX. 

*5  By  doors  and  by  gates  is  signified  admission.  Specifi- 
cally introductory  truths  are  signified,  which  are  truths 
from  good  derived  from  the  Lord.  E.  208. 

By  the  daughter  of  Zion  is  signified  the  spiritual  affection 
of  Divine  truth,  which  is  the  love  of  truth  for  the  sake  of 
truth,  and  the  desire  thereof  for  the  sake  of  the  uses  of 
eternal  life.  E.  850. 

16-18.  And  thanksgiving  of  the  latter,  that  the  evil  have 
been  conquered  and  cast  into  hell.  P.  P. 

19.  By  the  miserable  and  the  poor  are  chiefly  meant  those 
who  are  not  in  the  knowledges  of  truth  and  good,  and  yet 
desire  them,  since  by  the  rich  are  meant  those  who  possess 
the  knowledges  of  truth  and  good.  R.  209. 

The  reason  why  both  the  miserable  and  the  poor  are 
mentioned  is,  because  it  is  according  to  the  style  of  the 
Word  that  where  truth  is  treated  of,  good  is  also  treated  of, 
and  in  the  opposite  sense  where  what  is  false  is  treated  of, 
evil  is  also  treated  of,  since  they  form  a  one  and  are  as  a 
marriage.  On  this  account  the  miserable  and  the  poor 
are  mentioned  together,  for  by  the  miserable  are  under- 
stood those  who  are  deficient  in  the  knowledges  of  truth, 
and  by  the  poor  those  who  are  deficient  in  the  knowledges 
of  good.  E.  238. 


PSALM  X. 


1.  Why  standest  thou  afar  off,  O  Jehovah? 
Why  hidest  thou  thyself  in  times  of  trouble  ? 

2.  In  the  pride  of  the  wicked  the  poor  is  hotly  pursued; 
Let  them  be  taken  in  the    devices    that    they    have 

conceived. 

3.  For  the  wicked  boasteth  of  his  heart's  desire, 

And  the  covetous  renounceth,  yea,  contemneth  Jehovah . 

4.  The  wicked,  in  the  pride  of  his  countenance,  saith,  He 

will  not  require  it. 
All  his  thoughts  are,  There  is  no  God. 


PSALM   X.  33 

5.  His  ways  are  firm  at  all  times; 

Thy  judgments  are  far  above  out  of  his  sight: 
As  for  all  his  adversaries,  he  puffeth  at  them. 

6.  He  saith  in  his  heart,  I  shall  not  be  moved; 
To  all  generations  I  shall  not  be  in  adversity. 

7.  His  mouth  is  full  of  cursing  and  deceit  and  oppression: 
Under  his  tongue  is  mischief  and  iniquity. 

8.  He  sitteth  in  the  lurking-places  of  the  villages; 
In  the  secret  places  doth  he  murder  the  innocent; 
His  eyes  are  privily  set  against  the  helpless. 

9.  He  lurketh  in  secret  as  a  lion  in  his  covert; 
He  lieth  in  wait  to  catch  the  poor: 

He  doth  catch  the  poor,  when  he  draweth  him  in  his 
net. 

10.  He  croucheth,  he  boweth  down, 

And  the  helpless  fall  by  his  strong  ones. 

11.  He  saith  in  his  heart:  God  hath  forgotten, 
He  hideth  his  face,  he  will  never  see  it. 

12.  Arise,  O  Jehovah;  O  God,  lift  up  thy  hand: 
Forget  not  the  poor. 

13.  "Wherefore  doth  the  wicked  contemn  God, 
And  say  in  his  heart,  Thou  wilt  not  require  it? 

14.  Thou  hast  seen  it:  for  thou  beholdest  mischief  and 

spite,  to  requite  it  with  thy  hand: 
The  helpless  committeth  himself  unto  thee; 
Thou  hast  been  the  helper  of  the  fatherless. 

15.  Break  thou  the  arm  of  the  wicked; 

And  as  for  the  evil  man,  seek  out  his  wickedness  till 
thou  find  none. 

16.  Jehovah  is  King  for  ever  and  ever: 
The  nations  are  perished  out  of  his  land. 

17.  Jehovah,  thou  hast  heard  the  desire  of  the  meek: 
Thou  wilt  prepare  their  heart,  thou  wilt  cause  thine 

ear  to  hear; 

18.  To  judge  the  fatherless  and  the  oppressed, 

That  man  who  is  of  the  earth  may  be  terrible  no  more. 


34  PSALM   X. 


Psalm  X. 


1-4.  The  evil  do  evil  to  the  good  and  deny  God,  and  are 
hypocrites  and  deceitful.  P.  P. 

9.  In  these  passages  the  needy  mean  those  who  are  in  ig- 
norance of  truth  and  desire  to  be  instructed.  A.  9209. 

11-13.  "Wherefore  doth  the  wicked  contemn  God?" 
(Elohim)  speaking  of  power  from  truths.  A.  4402. 

12-18.  Prayer  to  the  Father  for  their  requital,  and  for 
judgment  upon  them.  P.  P. 

15.  That  the  hands,  arms,  and  shoulders  correspond  to 
power  in  the  Greatest  Man,  is  because  the  strength  and 
powers  of  the  whole  body  and  of  all  its  viscera  have  ref- 
erence to  them,  for  the  body  exerts  its  powers  and  strength 
by  the  arms  and  hands.  A.  4933- 

16.  That  an  age  when  it  is  spoken  of  heaven,  where  there 
is  no  end,  and  of  the  Lord  signifies  what  is  eternal  is  mani- 
fest also  from  Exodus  xv.  18:  Psalm  cxlv,  13,      A.  10248. 


PSALM  XI. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     In  Jehovah  do  I  take  refuge: 
How  say  ye  to  my  soul, 
Flee  as  a  bird  to  your  mountain; 

2.  For,  lo,  the  wicked  bend  the  bow, 

They  make  ready  their  arrow  upon  the  string, 
That  they  may  shoot  in  darkness  at  the  upright  in 
heart; 

3.  If  the  foundations  be  destroyed, 
What  can  the  righteous  do  ? 

4.  Jehovah  is  in  his  holy  temple; 
Jehovah,  his  throne  is  in  heaven; 

His  eyes  behold,  his  eyelids  try,  the  children  of  men. 


PSALM  XI.  35 

Jehovah  trieth  the  righteous; 

But  the  wicked  and  him  that  loveth  violence  his  soul 

hateth. 
Upon  the  wicked  he  will  rain  snares; 
Fire   and   brimstone  and  burning  wind  shall  be  the 

portion  of  their  cup. 
For  Jehovah  is  righteous;  he  loveth  righteousness: 
The  upright  shall  behold  his  face. 


Psalm  XI. 

1-5.  The  Lord  arouses  himself  to  fight  for  the  good  against 
the  evil.  P.  p. 

2.  Here  the  bow  and  arrows  plainly  stand  for  doctrinals  of 
falsity.  A.  2686. 

As  most  of  the  things  in  the  Word  also  have  an  opposite 
sense,  so  likewise  have  javelins,  darts,  arrows,  bows,  and 
a  shooter.  They  signify  falsities,  the  doctrine  of  falsity, 
and  those  who  are  in  falsity.  A.  2709. 

A  bow  signifies  the  doctrine  of  truth  combating  against 
falsities,  and  in  the  opposite  sense,  the  doctrine  of  falsity 
combating  against  truth.  Hence  arrows  and  darts  signify 
truths  or  falsities.  Since  war  in  the  Word  signifies  spir- 
itual war,  the  arms  of  war,  therefore,  as  the  sword,  the 
spear,  the  shield,  the  buckler,  the  bow,  the  arrows  signify 
things  belonging  to  such  war.  R.  299. 

The  wicked  bending  the  bow  signifies  their  framing 
doctrine,  their  making  ready  their  arrow  upon  the  string 
signifies  their  applying  to  doctrine  falsities  which  appear 
as  truths.  To  shoot  privily  at  the  upright  in  heart  signi- 
fies to  deceive  those  who  are  in  truths  from  good.  Bow 
here  means  the  doctrine  of  what  is  false,  arrow  stands  for 
falsity  itself.  To  shoot  means  to  deceive,  and  to  do  so 
privily  denotes  appearances,  for  they  reason  from  appear- 
ances in  the  world  and  from  fallacies,  applying  also  the 

•  literal  sense  of  the  Word.  E.  357. 


30  PSALM  XI. 

2,  3.  In  the  Word  the  foundations  of  the  earth  are  men- 
tioned several  times.  By  them  are  not  meant  the  founda- 
tions of  the  earth,  but  the  foundations  of  the  church,  for 
the  earth  signifies  the  church.  The  foundations  of  the 
church  are  none  others  than  those  which  are  from  the 
Word,  and  are  called  doctrinals,  for  the  Word  itself  is 
what  founds  the  church.  R.  902. 

4.  By  eyes  in  the  Word  where  men  are  treated  of  who  re- 
ceive the  Divine  things  of  the  Lord,  is  signified  faith  and 
also  the  receiving  of  intellect,  for  the  intellect  is  the  inter- 
nal eye,  and  faith  is  the  truth  which  is  seen  and  perceived. 
The  light  which  illuminates  the  understanding  is  from 
heaven,  but  that  which  illuminates  the  sight  of  the  body  is 
in  the  world.  The  light  of  heaven  is  from  the  Lord  as  a 
sun  there,  and  is  in  its  essence  the  Divine  truth  proceed- 
ing from  the  Divine  good  of  the  Lord.  A.  10569. 

By  the  eye  when  speaking  of  the  Lord  is  meant  His 
Divine  wisdom,  also  His  omnipotence  and  providence. 

R.  48. 

The  eyes  when  predicated  of  the  Lord  stand  for  pres- 
ence, and  thence  providence.  E.  68. 

5.  By  the  soul  of  Jehovah  is  signified  the  Divine  truth,  for 
by  the  violent  in  the  Word  is  signified  one  who  offers  vio- 
lence to  Divine  truth,  which  is  being  done  by  the  falses  of 
evil.  Therefore  this  is  signified  by  the  impious  and  him 
that  loveth  violence.  E.  750. 

6.  Brimstone  is  the  hell  of  the  evils  of  the  love  of  self,  and 
fire  the  hell  of  the  falsities  therefrom.  Brimstone  and  its 
fire  signifies  in  the  Word  the  love  of  self  with  its  lusts  and 
falsities,  thus  hell,  for  hell  consists  of  such  things. 

A.  2446. 
It  is  manifest  that  Jehovah  in  no  wise  caused  it  to  rain 
brimstone  and  fire,  that  is  in  no  wise  condemned  to  hell, 
but  that  they  who  were  in  evil  and  thence  in  falsity  did 
this,  because  they  separated  themselves  from  good  and 
so  cast  themselves  upon  the  laws  of  order  from  truth  alone. 

A.  2447. 


PSALM   XI.  37 

A  snare  as  it  signifies  the  delight  of  the  love  of  self  and 
the  world,  signifies  also  the  destruction  of  spiritual  life 
and  perdition,  for  the  all  of  faith  and  love  to  the  Lord,  and 
the  all  of  love  towards  the  neighbour  is  destroyed  by  the 
delight  of  the  love  of  self  and  the  world  where  it  has  do- 
minion. Fire  and  sulphur  are  the  evils  of  the  love  of  self 
and  of  the  worM.  A.  9348. 

As  a  nearer  and  stronger  Divine  influx  through  the 
heavens  disperses  the  truths  that  are  with  the  evil,  there- 
fore wind  signifies  the  dispersion  of  the  truth  with  them, 
and  thence  their  conjunction  with  hell  and  their  destruc- 
tion.    Wind  signifies  the  influx  of  Divine  truth.     R.  343. 

Fire  signifies  infernal  love,  and  brimstone  the  lusts  flow- 
ing forth  from  that  love  through  the  pride  of  one's  own 
intelligence.  R.  452. 

By  vials,  plates,  cups,  and  goblets,  and  by  bottles  those 
things  are  signified  which  are  contained  in  them.     R.  672. 

By  storms,  and  tempests  is  signified  the  dispersion  of 
falsities  and  evils,  because  they  who  are  principled  in  the 
falsities  of  evil  are  cast  down  into  hell  by  a  stormy  wind. 

E.  419. 

These  things  are  said  from  the  appearances  which  take 
place  in  the  spiritual  world  when  the  Divine  good  and 
truth  descend  out  of  heaven  towards  the  inferior  parts 
there,  where  the  evil  are,  who  are  to  be  separated  from 
the  good  and  to  be  dispersed.  Since  the  fire,  which  in  its 
origin  is  Divine  love,  when  it  descends  out  of  the  heavens 
and  is  received  by  the  evil  becomes  a  consuming  fire, 
therefore  such  fire  in  the  Word  is  predicated  of  Jehovah. 
Infernal  fire  is  from  no  other  source  than  the  change  of 
the  Divine  love  into  evil  loves,  and  into  direful  lusts  of  in- 
juring and  doing  evil.  E.  504. 

By  these  words  is  signified  that  the  impious  are  de- 
stroyed by  their  own  evils  originating  in  what  is  false,  and 
by  their  own  falsities  originating  in  evil,  which  destroy  in 
them  all  the  truths  of  the  church.     Snares,  fire,  and  brim- 


38  PSALM   XI. 

6  stone  mean  the  evils  of  falsity  and  the  falsities  of  evil.  By 
the  horrible  tempest  which  shall  be  the  portion  of  the  cup 
of  the  wicked  is  signified  the  total  destruction  of  all  truth 
with  them.  E.  578. 

By  snares,  fire  and  brimstone  are  signified  falses  and 
evils  seducing,  and  by  a  wind  of  storms  is  signified  vehe- 
ment assault  of  truth.  These  things  are  called  the  por- 
tion of  a  cup,  because  a  cup  as  containing  signifies  them. 
By  mixing  and  filling  with  mixture  (Psalm  lxxv.  9)  is  sig- 
nified to  falsify  truth  and  profane  it.  E.  960. 

6,  7.     The  evil  will  perish  as  a  consequence  of  justice.     P.  P. 


PSALM  XII. 

For  the  Chief  Musician;  set  to  the  Sheminith.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

1.  Help,  Jehovah;  for  the  godly  man  ceaseth; 

For  the  faithful  fail  from  among  the  children  of  men. 

2.  They  speak  falsehood  every  one  with  his  neighbor: 
With  flattering  lip,  and  with  a  double  heart,  do  they 

speak. 

3.  Jehovah  will  cut  off  all  flattering  lips, 
The  tongue  that  speaketh  great  things; 

4.  Who  have  said,  With  our  tongue  will  we  prevail; 
Our  lips  are  our  own:  who  is  lord  over  us? 

5.  Because  of  the  oppression  of  the  poor,  because  of  the 

sighing  of  the  needy, 
Now  will  I  arise,  saith  Jehovah; 
I  will  set  him  in  the  safety  he  panteth  for. 

6.  The  words  of  Jehovah  are  pure  words; 
As  silver  tried  in  a  furnace  on  the  earth, 
Purified  seven  times. 

7.  Thou  wilt  keep  them,  O  Jehovah, 

Thou  wilt  preserve  them  from  this  generation  for  ever. 

8.  The  wicked  walk  on  every  side, 

When  vileness  is  exalted  among  the  sons  of  men. ' 


PSALM   XIII. 


Psalm  XII. 


39 


1-5.     There  are  no  longer  any  good,  but  only  hypocrites. 

P.  P 
3.     Vanity  stands  for  the  false  of  doctrine  and  of  religion. 

A.  9248. 
5.     A  lip  signifies  doctrine.     Here  lips  stand  for  falsities. 

A.  1286. 

6-9.     The  Lord  will  to  eternity  deliver  the  good  as  against 

the  evil.  P.  P. 

7.     Seven  signifies  things  that  are  holy.  A.  720. 

The  silver  purified  seven  times  stands  for  Divine  truth. 

A.  1551. 

John  to  the  seven  churches  —  Revelation  i.  4  —  signi- 
fies to  all  who  are  in  the  Christian  world.  Numbers  in  the 
Word  signify  things,  and  seven  all,  thence  also  full  and 
perfect.  R.  10. 

Here  silver  signifies  truth  derived  from  the  Divine,  puri- 
fied seven  times  means  that  it  is  altogether  and  entirely 
pure,  E.  257. 


PSALM  XIII. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.      A  Psalm  of  David. 

1.  How  long,  O  Jehovah?  wilt  thou  forget  me  for  ever? 
How  long  wilt  thou  hide  thy  face  from  me  ? 

2.  How  long  shall  I  take  counsel  in  my  soul, 
Having  sorrow  in  my  heart  all  the  day  ? 

How  long  shall  mine  enemy  be  exalted  over  me  ? 

3.  Consider  and  answer  me,  O  Jehovah  my  God: 
Lighten  mine  eyes,  lest  I  sleep  the  sleep  of  death; 

4.  Lest  mine  enemy  say,  I  have  prevailed  against  him; 
Lest  mine  adversaries  rejoice  when  I  am  moved. 

5.  But  I  have  trusted  in  thy  lovingkindness ; 
My  heart  shall  rejoice  in  thy  salvation. 

6.  I  will  sing  unto  Jehovah, 

Because  he  hath  dealt  bountifully  with  me. 


40  PSALM   XIII. 


Psalm  XIII. 

1-5.  The  state  of  the  Lord's  temptations,  and  the  grievous 
insurrection  of  the  infernals  against  Him.  P.  P. 

2.  Not  to  see  the  Lord's  face  means  that  there  will  be  no 
mercy,  or  no  compassion.  Not  that  the  Lord  has  no  com- 
passion, for  He  is  mercy  itself,  but  it  is  so  said  from  the 
appearance  with  the  man  who  is  in  evil,  for  the  man  who 
is  in  evil  turns  himself  away  and  hides  from  himself  the 
Lord's  face,  that  is  removes  His  mercy  from  him. 

A.  5585. 
Where  Divine  good  is  not  in  Divine  truth  there  the  faces 
of  Jehovah  are  not,  and  where  evil  is  in  what  is  false,  the 
Divine  does  not  appear.  This  is  meant  by  Jehovah  hid- 
ing and  turning  away  His  face.  A.  10579. 
It  is  also  frequently  said  that  Jehovah  hid  and  also 
turned  away  His  face.     See  also  Psalm  xxvii.  8,  9. 

R.  939. 

By  hiding  the  face  where  it  is  predicated  of  Jehovah  or 

the  Lord  is  signified  to  leave  man  in  his  proprium,  and 

thence  in  evils  and  falsities  that  flow  from  his  proprium. 

E.  412. 
4.     In  many  places  in  the  Word  the  eyes  are  taken  for  the 
understanding,  and  so  for  an  inward  dictate  therefrom. 

A.  212. 

See  Psalm  ix.  14.  A.  61 19. 

Every  one  sees  that  in  these  places  the  understanding  is 

signified  by  the  eyes.  R.  48. 

The  state  of  the  man  who  is  not  in  truths  is  called  a 

slumber  and  a  sleep.  R.  158. 

The  eyes  stand  for  the  understanding  of  truth,  and  are 

said  to  grow  dim  when  truth  is  no  more  understood. 

E.  152. 

Since  watching  signifies  the  reception  of  spiritual  life, 

it  follows  that  sleeping  signifies  natural  life  without  spir- 


PSALM  XIV.  41 

itual,  for  natural  life  compared  with  spiritual  is  as  sleep 
to  watchfulness.  E.  187. 

By  answering  is  not  understood  to  answer,  but  to  flow 
into  the  thought,  to  cause  to  perceive,  and  also  to  give  aid 
from  mercy.  E.  471. 

Whilst  man  is  in  life  from  the  Lord  he  is  in  a  state  of 
watching,  or  wakefulness,  but  when  he  is  in  life  from  self 
he  is  in  a  state  of  sleep;  or  what  is  the  same,  whilst  man  is 
in  spiritual  life  he  is  then  in  a  state  of  watching  or  wake- 
fulness, but  when  he  is  in  natural  life,  separate  from  spir- 
itual, he  is  in  a  state  of  sleep.  What  a  man  then  sees  is 
like  what  is  seen  in  a  dream.  To  live  this  life  is  also 
understood  by  sleeping  and  slumbering  in  the  Word. 

E.  1006. 

He  has  confidence  respecting  the  victory.  P.  P 


PSALM  XIV. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     The  fool  hath  said  in  his  heart,  There  is  no  God. 

They  are  corrupt,  they  have  done  abominable  works; 
There  is  none  that  doeth  good. 

2.  Jehovah  looked  down  from  heaven  upon  the  children  of 

men, 
To  see  if  there  were  any  that  did  understand, 
That  did  seek  after  God. 

3.  They  are   all   gone   aside;  they   are   together   become 

filthy; 
There  is  none  that  doeth  good,  no,  not  one. 

4.  Have  all  the  workers  of  iniquity  no  knowledge, 
Who  eat  up  my  people  as  they  eat  bread, 
And  call  not  upon  Jehovah  ? 

5.  There  were  they  in  great  fear; 

For  God  is  in  the  generation  of  the  righteous. 

6.  Ye  put  to  shame  the  counsel  of  the  poor, 
Because  Jehovah  is  his  refuge. 


42  PSALM   XIV. 

7.     Oh  that  the  salvation  of  Israel  were  come  out  of  Zion! 
When  Jehovah  bringeth  back  the  captivity  of  his  people, 
Then  shall  Jacob  rejoice,  and  Israel  shall  be  glad. 

Psalm  XIV. 

I.  Here  "what  is  corrupt"  is  put  for  dreadful  persuasions, 
and  "abominable"  for  the  filthy  lusts  which  are  in  the 
work,  or  from  which  the  work  is  done.  A.  622. 

1-3.  There  is  no  longer  any  understanding  of  truth  or  will 
of  good  whatever.  P.  P. 

4.  5.     They  do  not  acknowledge  God.  P.  P. 

5.  The  generation  of  the  just  stands  for  truths  from  good, 
for  justice  is  predicated  of  good.  Generation  in  the  Word 
signifies  what  is  of  faith  and  charity,  because  no  other 
generation  than  spiritual  can  be  understood  in  the  internal 
sense.  •  A.  6239. 

6.  They  are  against  good  and  truth.  P.  P. 

7.  Jacob  in  the  WTord  is  not  only  Jacob,  but  also  all  his 
posterity.  That  by  the  hollow  of  Jacob's  thigh  being  out 
of  joint  as  he  wrestled  with  him,  is  signified  that  this  con- 
junction (of  the  spiritual  man  with  the  natural)  was  alto- 
gether impaired  and  displaced  in  Jacob's  posterity. 

A.  4281. 

By  captivity  spiritual  captivity  is  here  meant,  which  is 
to  be  seduced  and  so  led  away  from  truths  and  goods,  and 
to  be  led  on  into  falsities  and  evils.  R.  591. 

Heaven  and  the  church  where  the  Lord  alone  is  wor- 
shipped are  signified  by  mount  Zion.  R.  612. 

These  things  are  spoken  of  the  Lord  who  in  these  and 
other  passages  is  called  salvation  from  the  act  of  saving, 
and  from  this  consideration,  that  He  is  salvation  in  man, 
for  in  proportion  as  the  Lord  is  in  man,  in  the  same  pro- 
portion man  has  salvation.  E.  460. 

In  the  place  of  joy  exultation  is  also  mentioned,  because 
exultation  in  the  same  way  as  joy  is  predicated  of  good, 
being  of  the  love  of  the  heart  and  the  will.  E.  660. 


PSALM  XV.  43 

By  Zion  are  here  also  understood  those  who  are  in  the 
good  of  love  from  the  Lord.  Liberation  from  evils  by  the 
Lord  and  salvation  is  understood  by,  who  will  give  out  of 
Zion  the  salvation  of  Israel.  By  bringing  back  the  cap- 
tivity of  his  people,  is  meant  deliverance  from  falses  and 
evils.  By  Jacob  shall  exult,  Israel  shall  be  glad,  is  under- 
stood joy  on  account  of  deliverance  with  those  who  are  in 
the  church  external  and  internal.  -By  Jacob  they  who 
are  of  the  external  church,  and  by  Israel  they  who  are  of 
the  internal  church,  and  the  gentiles  are  understood  by 
both.  E.  811. 

The  subject  treated  of  is  concerning  the  advent  of  the 
Lord,  and  concerning  His  kingdom  in  the  heavens  and  in 
the  earths.  Since  that  kingdom  is  understood  by  Zion 
and  by  Jerusalem,  therefore  it  is  said  that  they  shall  come 
thither  —  Isaiah  lix.  20.  Hence  it  is  evident  that  by  Zion 
is  understood  heaven  and  the  church  in  which  the  Lord 
reigns  by  Divine  truth.  E.  850. 

The  Lord  will  save  those  who  are  of  the  church,  whence 
they  will  have  joy  from  Him.  P.  P. 


PSALM  XV. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 


Jehovah,  who  shall  sojourn  in  thy  tabernacle  ? 

Who  shall  dwell  in  thy  holy  hill  ? 

He  that  walketh  uprightly,  and  worketh  righteousness, 

And  speaketh  truth  in  his  heart; 

He  that  slandereth  not  with  his  tongue, 

Nor  doeth  evil  to  his  friend, 

Nor  taketh  up  a  reproach  against  his  neighbor; 

In  whose  eyes  a  reprobate  is  despised, 

But  who  honoreth  them  that  fear  Jehovah; 

He  that  sweareth  to  his  own  hurt,  and  changeth  not; 

He  that  putteth  not  out  his  money  to  interest, 

Nor  taketh  reward  against  the  innocent. 

He  that  doeth  these  things  shall  never  be  moved. 


44  PSALM   XV. 


Psalm  XV. 

i.     See  Psalm  ii.  6.  R.  586. 

A  mountain  signifies  love  to  the  Lord,  and  thus  all  the 
good  thence  derived,  which  is  called  celestial  good.  Jeru- 
salem is  called  a  holy  mountain  and  a  holy  hill.       E.  405. 

1,  2.  Dwelling  in  tents  denotes  the  holy  of  love.  In  an- 
cient times  they  performed  holy  worship  in  their  tents. 

A.  414. 
An  upright  man  is  one  who  is  so  from  holiness,  or  the 
good  of  charity.  A.  612. 

To  tarry  in  the  tent  of  Jehovah  stands  for  heaven,  and 
in  the  good  of  love  there.  A.  10545. 

The  Lord's  Divine  Human  as  to  the  Divine  love,  and 
also  the  heaven  and  church  which  are  in  love  to  the  Lord 
are  signified  by  the  tabernacle.  R.  585. 

By  tabernacle  is  signified  the  church  as  to  the  good  of 
love,  consequently  also  the  good  of  love.  By  the  moun- 
tain of  holiness,  by  which  is  meant  Jerusalem,  is  signified 
the  church  as  to  the  truth  of  doctrine  from  that  good; 
hence  it  may  be  known  what  is  signified  by  abiding  in 
them.  He  who  walketh  in  integrity  signifies  one  who  is 
in  good  as  to  life,  and  in  truths  as  to  doctrine,  wherefore 
it  is  also  said,  who  doeth  justice,  and  speaketh  truth  in  his 
heart.  E.  799. 

1-3.  By  sincerity  are  also  meant  integrity,  justice,  faith- 
fulness, and  uprightness.  A  man  cannot  be  in  these  from 
himself,  so  as  to  love  them  from  themselves  and  for  then- 
own  sake.  But  he  is  in  them  who  shuns  the  various  forms 
of  fraud,  cunning,  and  deceit  as  sins,  and  he  is  thus  in 
them  not  from  himself  but  from  the  Lord.  Life  84. 

1-5.  Those  who  love  the  neighbour  and  God  will  be  of 
the  Lord's  church.  P.  P. 

I,  2,  4.  Affliction  is  to  subdue  and  subjugate  the  evils  and 
falsities  that  rise  up  from  the  external  man  into  the  ra- 
tional.    Thus  it  is  not  to  plunge  one's  self  into  poverty 


PSALM   XVI.  45 

and  wretchedness,  or  to  renounce  the  enjoyments  of  the 
body.  A.  1947. 

2.  Faith  because  it  is  of  charity,  or  truth  because  it  is  of 
good,  and  hence  the  truths  of  good  are  sometimes  called 
the  judgments  of  justice.  A.  2235. 

Since  justice  is  of  good,  and  judgment  is  of  truth,  it  is 
also  expressed  by  justice  and  truth.  See  Zechariah  viii.  8: 
Psalm  xxxvi.  5,  6;  lxxxv.  11,12.  A.  9263. 

2,  5.  To  give  his  silver  to  usury  is  to  teach  for  the  sake  of 
gain  alone,  thus  to  do  good  for  the  sake  of  recompense. 

A.  9210. 


PSALM  XVI. 

Michtam  of  David. 


i.     Preserve  me,  O  God;  for  in  thee  do  I  take  refuge. 

2.  O  my  soid,  thou  hast  said  unto  Jehovah,  Thou  art  my 

Lord: 
I  have  no  good  beyond  thee. 

3.  As  for  the  saints  that  are  in  the  earth, 

They  are  the  excellent  in  whom  is  all  my  delight. 

4.  Their  sorrows  shall  be  multiplied  that  give  gifts  for 

another  god: 
Their  drink-offerings  of  blood  will  I  not  offer, 
Nor  take  their  names  upon  my  lips. 

5.  Jehovah  is  the  portion  of  mine  inheritance  and  of  my 

cup: 
Thou  maintainest  my  lot. 

6.  The  lines  are  fallen  unto  me  in  pleasant  places; 
Yea,  I  have  a  goodly  heritage. 

7.  I  will  bless  Jehovah,  who  hath  given  me  counsel; 
Yea,  my  heart  instructeth  me  in  the  night  seasons. 

8.  I  have  set  Jehovah  always  before  me: 

Because  he  is  at  my  right  hand,  I  shall  not  be  moved. 

9.  Therefore  my  heart  is  glad,  and  my  glory  rejoiceth: 
My  flesh  also  shall  dwell  in  safety. 


46  PSALM   XVI. 

10.  For  thou  wilt  not  leave  my  soul  to  Sheol; 

Neither  wilt  thou  suffer  thy  holy  one  to  see  corruption. 

1 1 .  Thou  wilt  show  me  the  path  of  life : 
In  thy  presence  is  fulness  of  joy; 

In  thy  right  hand  there  are  pleasures  for  evermore. 


Psalm  XVI. 

1,  2.     The  Lord's  trust  in  himself  P.  P. 

3-5.     for  delivering  the  good,  whom  the  evil  infest.       P.  P. 

4.  Drink-offerings  are  also  predicated  of  blood,  and  by 
them  are  signified  the  profanations  of  truth,  for  blood  in 
that  sense  is  violence  offered  to  charity,  and  profanation. 

A.  4581. 
That  the  truths  and  goods  of  worship  are  signified  by 
wine,  oil,  fine  flour  and  wheat  is  because  the  drink-offer- 
ings and  meat-offerings  consisted  of  them,  which  were 
offered  upon  the  altar  together  with  the  sacrifices,  and  by 
the  sacrifices,  and  by  the  offerings  offered  upon  the  altar 
worship  is  signified,  for  the  chief  part  of  worship  consisted 
in  them.  R.  778- 

5.  See  Psalm  xi.  6.  R.  672. 
Vessels  have  "a  similar  signification  with  the  things  con- 
tained in  them.  E.  960. 

6.  In  the  other  life  there  appear  ropes  of  various  twist  and 
thickness,  and  by  them  are  represented  various  modes  of 
conjunction.  Moreover  ropes  in  the  Word  also  signify 
portions  of  inheritance  and  of  land,  since  by  ropes  were 
made  measurements.  A.  9854. 

6-8.     His  is  the  Divine  and  Divine  power.  P.  P. 

7.  See  Psalm  vii.  10.  Add:  that  chastening  is  attributed  to 
the  reins  is  clear.  A.  5385. 

By  blessing  God,  is  meant  to  ascribe  to  Him  all  blessing, 
also  by  praying  that  He  would  bless,  and  by  giving  thanks 
because  He  has  blessed.  R.  289. 

Night  seasons  signify  the  state  of  man  when  falsities 


psalm  xvn.  4f 

rise  up.     The  combat  in  such  cases  of  truths  with  falsities 
is  signified  by  "my  reins  instruct  me."  E.  167. 

8.  By  the  right  hand  are  signified  omnipotence  and  omni- 
science pertaining  to  the  Lord  from  Divine  good  by  Di- 
vine truth.  E.  298. 

8-10.     His  Human  glorified  will  rise  again.  P.  P. 

9.  Flesh  also  signifies  good  in  many  other  passages  in  the 
Word.     See  Ezekiel  xi.  19;  xxxvi.  26:  Psalms  lxiii.  1,  etc. 

R.  832. 

10.  The  soul  signifies  the  life  of  the  spirit  of  man,  which  is 
called  his  spiritual  life.  E.  750. 

That  Jesus  would  rise  from  the  dead  according  to  the 
prediction  in  David.  D.  P.,  Page  38 


PSALM  XVII. 

A  Prayer  of  David. 


i.     Hear  the  right,  O  Jehovah,  attend  unto  my  cry; 

Give  ear  unto  my  prayer,  that  goeth  not  out  of  feigned 
lips. 

2.  Let  my  sentence  come  forth  from  thy  presence;. 
Let  thine  eyes  look  upon  equity. 

3.  Thou  hast  proved  my  heart;  thou  hast  visited  me  in 

the  night; 
Thou  hast  tried  me,  and  findest  nothing; 
I  am  purposed  that  my  mouth  shall  not  transgress. 

4.  As  for  the  works  of  men,  by  the  word  of  thy  lips 
I  have  kept  me  from  the  ways  of  the  violent. 

5.  My  steps  have  held  fast  to  thy  paths, 
My  feet  have  not  slipped. 

6.  I  have  called  upon  thee,  for  thou  wilt  answer  me,  O 

God: 
Incline  thine  ear  unto  me,  and  hear  my  speech. 

7.  Show  thy  marvellous  lovingkindness, 

O  thou  that  savest  by  thy  right  hand  th&m  that  take 

refuge  in  thee 
From  those  that  rise  up  against  them. 


48  PSALM   XVII. 

8.  Keep  me  as  the  apple  of  the  eye; 

Hide  me  under  the  shadow  of  thy  wings, 

9.  From  the  wicked  that  oppress  me, 

My  deadly  enemies,  that  compass  me  about. 
10.     They  are  inclosed  in  their  own  fat: 

With  their  mouth  they  speak  proudly. 
ii,     They  have  now  compassed  us  in  our  steps; 

They  set  their  eyes  to  cast  its  down  to  the  earth. 

12.  He  is  like  a  lion  that  is  greedy  of  his  prey, 

And  as  it  were  a  young  lion  lurking  in  secret  places. 

13.  Arise,  *0  Jehovah, 
Confront  him,  cast  him  down: 

Deliver  my  soul  from  the  wicked  by  thy  sword; 

14.  From  men  by  thy  hand,  O  Jehovah, 

From  men  of  the  world,  whose  portion  is  in  this  life, 
And  whose  belly  thou  fillest  with  thy  treasure: 
They  are  satisfied  with  children, 
And  leave  the  rest  of  their  substance  to  their  babes. 

15.  As  for  me,  I  shall  behold  thy  face  in  righteousness; 

I  shall  be  satisfied,  when  I  awake,  with  beholding  thy 
form. 

Psalm  XVII. 

1.  See  Psalm  v.  7.  Add:  He  who  persuades  to  any  thing 
from  cunning  or  deceit  persuades  from  design  also,  for 
cunning  or  deceit  proposes  to  itself,  conceals  its  purpose 
and  performs  it  when  opportunity  offers.  R.  624. 

By  guile  in  these  passages  is  not  meant  guile  in  a  nat- 
ural sense  which  consists  in  fraudulent  machinations  and 
malicious  falsehood  against  others,  but  guile  in  the  spir- 
itual sense  by  which  is  meant  thought  from  the  intention 
of  the  will,  or  from  a  deliberate  purpose  of  speaking  and 
persuading  falses,  and  thereby  destroying  the  soul. 

E.  866. 

1-5.     The  Lord  concerning  the  integrity  of  His  life,      P.  P. 

6.     from  the  "Divine  in  himself.  P.  P. 

It  is  known  that  Jehovah  has  not  ears  nor  eyes  like  a 


PSALM  XVII.  49 

man,  but  that  it  is  an  attribute  predicable  of  the  Divine 
which  is  signified  by  ear  and  by  eye,  namely,  infinite  will 
and  infinite  understanding.  Infinite  will  is  providence, 
and  infinite  understanding  is  foresight.  These  are  what 
are  understood  by  ear  and  eye  in  the  supreme  sense,  when 
they  are  attributed  to  Jehovah.  A.  3869. 

See  Psalm  iv.  2.  R.  376. 

See  Psalm  iv.  2.  E.  471. 

6-10.  From  which  He  is  sustained  against  the  evil  who 
rise  up  against  Him.  P.  P. 

7-9.  By  enemies  and  rebels  are  signified  the  evils  and 
falses  which  are  from  hell.  They  are  called  rebels  be- 
cause evils  and  falses  rebel  against  goods  and  truths,  but 
not  vice  versa.  A.  10481. 

See  Psalm  hi.  2,  3.  E.  671. 

8.  To  be  covered  with  the  wing  of  Jehovah,  and  to  take 
refuge  under  His  wings  stands  for  protection  and  con- 
fidence which  is  of  faith  —  see  Psalm  xci.  4.  The  like  is 
meant  by  being  hid  under  the  shadow  of  God's  wings. 

A.  8764. 
By  wings  are  signified  powers,  because  by  them  the 
birds  raise  themselves  up,  and  wings  are  to  them  in  the 
place  of  arms  with  men,  and  powers  are  signified  by  the 
arms.  Guards  are  signified  by  wings  also  in  these  verses, 
and  in  Psalm  xci.  4.     And  others.  R.  245. 

To  be  covered  with  the  feathers  of  Jehovah  signifies  to 
be  guarded  by  Divine  truth,  which  is  the  Divine  spiritual. 
To  trust  under  His  wing  —  Psalm  xci.  4  —  signifies  scien- 
tific truth,  or  the  Divine  natural.  E.  283. 

10.  Fat  signifies  celestial  good.  By  the  fat  in  the  opposite 
sense  they  are  signified  who  are  nauseated  at  good,  and 
because  it  is  very  abundant,  despise  and  reject  it.     R.  782. 

In  the  opposite  sense  by  the  fat  ones  are  signified  those 
who  loathe  good,  or  who  at  least  despise  or  reject  it. 

E.  1159. 

11,  12.     And  wish  to  slay  Him.  P.  P. 


50  PSALM   XVII. 

12.  The  rending  of  good  by  falsities  from  evils  is  meant  in 
the  internal  sense.  A  lion  represents  those  who  vastate 
the  church.  A.  5828. 

A  lion  signifies  truth  in  its  power.  In  Numbers  xxiv. 
9  and  xxiii.  24,  this  is  said  of  Israel,  by  whom  the  church 
is  signified,  whose  power  which  is  in  Divine  truths  is  thus 
described.  R.  241. 

By  lions  also  in  the  Word  is  signified  in  an  opposite  sense 
the  power  of  wmat  is  false,  derived  from  evil,  by  which  the 
church  is  destroyed  and  devastated.  E.  278. 

13.  By  whom  nevertheless  He  cannot  be  hurt:  P.  P. 

14.  And  yet  they  possess  the  Word.  P.  P. 
By  the  hid  treasure  here  mentioned  is  signified  the  truth 

of  the  Word,  by  the  belly  the  interior  understanding, 
whence  by  filling  their  belly  with  treasure  is  signified  to 
instruct  their  interior  understanding  in  the  truths  of  the 
Word.  That  they  wrho  are  affected  by  truths  and  thence 
fully  instructed  is  signified  by  "  they  are  full  of  children." 
Children  denote  those  who  are  in  the  affection  of  truth. 
The  babes  of  the  children  signify  truths  springing  up,  or 
in  the  birth,  whence  it  is  said  that  they  leave  the  rest  of 
their  substance  to  their  babes.  It  is  here  said  the  interior 
understanding,  for  there  is  with  man  an  exterior  under- 
standing and  an  interior.  The  exterior  understanding 
is  of  the  natural  mind,  and  the  interior  understanding  is 
of  the  spiritual  mind,  the  interior  is  signified  by  the  belly. 

E.  622. 

15.  To  behold  the  face  of  God  means  to  enjoy  peace  and 
good  from  mercy.  A.  5585. 

He  will  be  glorified.  P.  P. 


PSALM   XVIII. 


PSALM  XVIII. 


5i 


For  the  Chief  Musician.  A  Psalm  of  David  the  servant  of  Jehovah, 
who  spake  unto  Jehovah  the  words  of  this  song  in  the  day  that 
Jehovah  delivered  him  from  the  hand  of  all  his  enemies,  and  from 
the  hand  of  Saul:  and  he  said, 

i.     I  love  thee,  O  Jehovah,  my  strength. 

2.  Jehovah  is  my  rock,  and  my  fortress,  and  my  deliverer; 
My  God.  my  rock,  in  whom  I  will  take  refuge; 

My  shield,  and  the  horn  of  my  salvation,  my  high  tower. 

3.  I  will  call  upon  Jehovah,  who  is  worthy  to  be  praised: 
So  shall  I  be  saved  from  mine  enemies. 

4.  The  cords  of  death  compassed  me, 

And  the  floods  of  ungodliness  made  me  afraid. 

5.  The  cords  of  Sheol  were  round  about  me; 
The  snares  of  death  came  upon  me. 

6.  In  my  distress  I  called  upon  Jehovah, 
And  cried  unto  my  God: 

He  heard  my  voice  out  of  his  temple, 
And  my  cry  before  him  came  into  his  ears. 

7.  Then  the  earth  shook  and  trembled; 

The  foundations  also  of  the  mountains  quaked 
And  were  shaken,  because  he  was  wroth. 

8.  There  went  up  a  smoke  out  of  his  nostrils, 
And  fire  out  of  his  mouth  devoured: 
Coals  were  kindled  by  it. 

9.  He  bowed  the  heavens  also,  and  came  down; 
And  thick  darkness  was  under  his  feet. 

10.  And  he  rode  upon  a  cherub,  and  did  fly; 
Yea,  he  soared  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind. 

11.  He  made  darkness  his  hiding-place,  his  pavilion  round 

about  him, 
Darkness  of  waters,  thick  clouds  of  the  skies. 

12.  At  the  brightness  before  him  his  thick  clouds  passed, 
Hailstones  and  coals  of  fire. 

13.  Jehovah  also  thundered  in  the  heavens, 
And  the  Most  High  uttered  his  voice, 
Hailstones  and  coals  of  fire. 

14.  And  he  sent  out  his  arrows,  and  scattered  them; 
Yea,  lightnings  manifold,  and  discomfited  them. 


52  PSALM   XVIII. 

15.     Then  the  channels  of  waters  appeared, 

And  the  foundations  of  the  world  were  laid  bare, 

At  thy  rebuke,  O  Jehovah, 

At  the  blast  of  the  breath  of  thy  nostrils. 

36.     He  sent  from  on  high,  he  took  me; 
He  drew  me  out  of  many  waters. 

17.  He  delivered  me  from  my  strong  enemy, 

And  from   them  that  hated  me;  for  they  were  too 
mighty  for  me. 

18.  They  came  upon  me  in  the  day  of  my  calamity; 
But  Jehovah  was  my  stay. 

19.  He  brought  me  forth  also  into  a  large  place; 
He  delivered  me,  because  he  delighted  in  me. 

20.  Jehovah  hath  rewarded  me  according  to  my  right- 

eousness ; 
According  to  the  cleanness  of  my  hands  hath  he  recom- 
pensed me. 

21.  For  I  have  kept  the  ways  of  Jehovah, 

And  have  not  wickedly  departed  from  my  God. 

22.  For  all  his  ordinances  were  before  me, 
And  I  put  not  away  his  statutes  from  me. 

23.  I  was  also  perfect  with  him, 

And  I  kept  myself  from  mine  iniquity. 

24.  Therefore  hath  Jehovah  recompensed  me  according  to 

my  righteousness, 
According  to  the  cleanness  of-  my  hands  in  his  eyesight. 

25.  With  the  merciful  thou  wilt  show  thyself  merciful; 
With  the  perfect  man  thou  wilt  show  thyself  perfect; 

26.  With  the  pure  thou  wilt  show  thyself  pure; 

And  with  the  perverse  thou  wilt  show  thyself  froward. 

27.  For  thou  wilt  save  the  afflicted  people; 
But  the  haughty  eyes  thou  wilt  bring  down. 

28.  For  thou  wilt  light  my  lamp: 

Jehovah  my  God  will  lighten  my  darkness. 

29.  For  by  thee  I  run  upon  a  troop; 

And  by  my  God  do  I  leap  over  a  wall. 

30.  As  for  God,  his  way  is  perfect: 
The  word  of  Jehovah  is  tried; 

He  is  a  shield  unto  all  them  that  take  refuge  in  him. 


PSALM   XVIII.  53 

31.  For  who  is  God,  save  Jehovah? 
And  who  is  a  rock,  besides  our  God, 

32.  The  God  that  girdeth  me  with  strength, 
And  maketh  my  way  perfect? 

^7,.     He  maketh  my  feet  like  hinds'  feet: 
And  setteth  me  upon  my  high  places. 

34.  He  teacheth  my  hands  to  war; 

So  that  mine  arms  do  bend  a  bow  of  brass. 

35.  Thou  hast  also  given  me  the  shield  of  thy  salvation; 
And  thy  right  hand  hath  holden  me  up, 

And  thy  gentleness  hath  made  me  great. 

36.  Thou  hast  enlarged  my  steps  under  me, 
And  my  feet  have  not  slipped. 

37.  I  will  pursue  mine  enemies,  and  overtake  them; 
Neither  will  I  turn  again  till  they  are  consumed. 

38.  I  will  smite  them  through,  so  that  they  shall  not  be 

able  to  rise: 
They  shall  fall  under  my  feet. 

39.  For  thou  hast  girded  me  writh  strength  unto  the  battle: 
Thou  hast  subdued  under  me  those  that  rose  up  against 

me. 

40.  Thou  hast  also  made  mine  enemies  turn  their  backs 

unto  me, 
That  I  might  cut  off  them  that  hate  me. 

41.  They  cried,  but  there  was  none  to  save; 

Even  unto  Jehovah,  but  he  answered  them  not. 

42.  Then  did  I  beat  them  small  as  the  dust  before  the  wind; 
I  did  cast  them  out  as  the  mire  of  the  streets. 

43.  Thou    hast   delivered   me   from   the   strivings   of   the 

people; 
Thou  hast  made  me  the  head  of  the  nations : 
A  people  whom  I  have  not  known  shall  serve  me. 

44.  As  soon  as  they  hear  of  me  they  shall  obey  me; 
The  foreigners  shall  submit  themselves  unto  me. 

45.  The  foreigners  shall  fade  away, 

And  shall  come  trembling  out  of  their  close  places. 

46.  Jehovah  liveth;  and  blessed  be  my  rock; 
And  exalted  be  the  God  of  my  salvation, 

47.  Even  the  God  that  executeth  vengeance  for  me, 
And  subdueth  peoples  under  me. 


54  PSALM   XVIII. 

48.  He  rescueth  me  from  mine  enemies; 

Yea,  thou  liftest  me  up  above  them  that  rise  up  against 

me; 
Thou  deliverest  me  from  the  violent  man. 

49.  Therefore  I  will  give  thanks  unto  thee,  O  Jehovah, 

among  the  nations, 
And  will  sing  praises  unto  thy  name. 

50.  Great  deliverance  giveth  he  to  his  king, 
And  showeth  lovingkindness  to  his  anointed, 
To  David  and  to  his  seed,  for  evermore. 


Psalm  XVIII. 

1.  That  a  song  also  signifies  glorification,  which  is  confes- 
sion from  joy  of  heart,  is  because  singing  exalts,  and 
causes  the  affection  to  break  forth  from  the  heart  into 
sound,  and  to  present  itself  intensely  in  its  life.  The 
Psalms  of  David  are  nothing  else  but  songs,  for  they  were 
played  and  sung,  on  which  account  also  they  are  in  many 
places  called  songs.  R.  279. 

It  is  to  be  observed  that  all  the  instruments  here  men- 
tioned —  Psalm  cl.  1-5  —  signify  affections,  and  each  has 
respect  to  its  particular  affection,  and  this  from  the  con- 
cordance of  their  sound,  for  the  affections  are  what  pro- 
duce the  variety  of  sounds  with  men.  Therefore  the  affec- 
tions are  also  known  by  the  sounds.  The  sounds  of  the 
musical  instruments  mentioned  elevate  the  affection,  and 
the  truths  form  it,  as  is  also  known  to  those  skilled  in 
music.  For  this  reason  the  writings  of  David  are  called 
Psalms  and  also  songs,  for  they  were  played  and  sung 
with  the  addition  of  the  sounds  of  various  instruments. 

E.  326. 

1-3  et  seq.  That  the  exalting  of  Jehovah,  that  is  of  the 
Lord  was  practised  by  songs  is  plain  in  David.       A.  8261. 

1-4,  7.  Confidence  of  the  Lord  from  His  Divine  against 
the  hells.  P.  P. 


PSALM  XVIII.  55 

2,  3.  The  horn  of  salvation  stands  for  truth  in  regard  to 
power.  Here  strength,  rock,  fortress,  God,  strong  rock 
and  shield  are  all  significative  of  the  power  of  truth. 

A.  2832. 
A  horn  signifies  power,  and  in  speaking  of  the  Lord, 
omnipotence.  R.  270. 

By  a  rock  and  fortress  when  predicated  of  Jehovah,  or 
the  Lord,  is  signified  omnipotence.  "In  whom  I  will 
trust,"  signifies  defence.  "My  buckler  and  the  horn  of 
my  salvation"  signify  salvation  thence  derived.  Fortress, 
and  shield  are  predicated  in  the  Word  of  Divine  good,  rock 
and  horn  of  Divine  truth.  Hence  by  these  things  are 
signified  omnipotence,  defence  and  salvation,  which  are 
from  Divine  good  by  Divine  truth.  E.  316. 

3.  "My  God  —  El  —  my  strong  rock"  where  power  is 
treated  of.  A.  4402. 

3,  29,  30,  32.  He  is  called  Jehovah  because  He  alone  is,  or 
lives,  thus  from  His  essence,  and  God  because  he  can  do 
all  things,  thus  from  His  power  —  as  is  evident  in  the 
Word,  where  this  distinction  is  made.  A.  300. 

3,  31.  A  shield  and  a  buckler  stand  for  protection  against 
falsities.  A.  1788. 

3,  32,  47.  By  the  rock  is  understood  the  Lord  as  to  Divine 
truth.  E.  411. 

By  rock  throughout  the  Word  the  Divine  truth  is  under- 
stood. Inv.,  35. 
5.     Rivers  in  the  opposite  sense  signify  falsities  in  abund- 
ance.    By  floods  also  temptations  are  signified,  because 
temptations  are  inundations  of  falsity.  R.  409. 
Since  all  spiritual  temptations  are  caused  by  falsities 
breaking  into  the  thoughts  and  infesting  the  interior  mind, 
thus  by  reasoning  from  them,  hence  also  temptations  are 
signified  by  inundations  of  waters,  and  by  irruptions  of 
streams  and  torrents.  E.  518. 
5,    6.     See  Psalm  ix.  14.                                           A.  61 19. 
By  death  is  here  signified  the  extinction  of  spiritual  life, 


56  PSALM   XVIII. 

5  which  is  spiritual  death.     Every  man  has  spiritual  life 

indeed  from  creation,  and  thence  from  birth,  but  that  life 

is  extinguished  when  God,  the  holiness  of  the  Word,  and 

eternal  life  are  denied.  R.  321. 

No  others  are  meant  by  death  and  hell,  —  Revelation 

xx.    13  —  but  those  who  were  interiorly   in   themselves 

devils  and  satans.     That  by  death  are  meant  the  impious 

in  heart,  who  in  themselves  were  devils,  and  by  hell  those 

•  who  in  themselves  were  satans  is  manifest.  R.  870. 

See  Psalm  vi.  6.  E.  186. 

5-7.     Combats  of  the  Lord  with  the  hells.  P.  P. 

5,  6,  15,  38,  39,  40,  41,  43.  The  cords  and  snares  of  death 
that  compassed  and  prevented  signify  temptations,  which 
because  they  are  from  hell  are  also  called  the  cords  of 
hell.  These  and  all  the  other  things  in  this  Psalm  treat 
of  the  combats  and  of  the  victories  of  the  Lord.      L.  14. 

7.  In  the  highest  sense  by  a  temple  is  signified  the  Lord  as 
to  His  Divine  Human,  in  particular  as  to  His  Divine  truth, 
but  in  the  representative  sense  the  Lord's  church  in  heaven 
is  signified  by  the  temple,  as  also  the  Lord's  church  in  the 
world.  R.  191. 

Where  temple  is  mentioned  heaven  and  the  church  are 
understood,  as  likewise  the  Divine  truth  proceeding  from 
the  Lord.  E.  220. 

7,  8.  The  earth  shaken  and  moved  stands  for  the  state  of 
the  church  become  perverse.  An  earthquake  is  nothing 
else  than  a  change  of  the  state  of  the  church.  Earth  in 
the  internal  sense  is  nothing  else  than  the  church. 

A.  3355- 
In  the  natural  sense  the  earth  is  the  earth,  but  in  the 
spiritual  sense  it  is  the  church,  for  the  reason  that  they 
who  are  in  the  spiritual  sense,  that  is  who  are  spiritual  as 
are  the  angels,  when  earth  or  land  is  mentioned  in  the 
Word,  do  not  understand  the  earth  or  land  itself,  but  the 
nation  therein  and  its  Divine  worship.  Hence  it  is  that 
by  earth  or  land  is  signified  the  church.  J.  3. 


PSALM   XVIII. 


57 


By  the  earth  the  Lord's  church  in  the  heavens  and  on  the 
earth  is  meant.  R.  .285. 

The  reason  that  earthquakes  signify  changes  of  state  in 
the  church  is  because  the  earth  signifies  the  church,  and 
because  in  the  spiritual  world  when  the  state  of  the  church 
is  anywhere  perverted  and  a  change  is  made,  there  is  an 
earthquake,  and  because  this  foreshadows  their  destruc- 
tion they  are  in  terror.  R.  331. 
Here  the  earth  stands  for  the  church,  which  is  said  to 
shake  and  to  tremble  when  it  is  perverted  by  the  falsifica- 
tions of  truths,  and  in  this  case  the  foundations  of  the 
mountains  are  said  to  shake  and  to  be  moved,  for  the 
goods  of  love  which  are  founded  upon  the  truths  of  faith 
then  vanish.  Mountains  stand  for  the  goods  of  love,  and 
their  foundations  for  the  truths  of  faith.  E.  304. 
By  these  words  it  is  not  to  be  understood  that  the  earth 
shook  and  trembled,  and  that  the  foundations  of  the  hills 
also  were  moved,  but  the  church  and  the  truths  upon 
which  the  church  is  founded  are  meant;  for  the  earth 
signifies  the  church,  and  the  foundations  of  the  hills  sig- 
nify the  truths  on  which  it  is  founded,  which  are  truths 
derived  from  good.  E.  400. 
7-1 1  et  seq.     By  all  this  is  described  the  last  judgment. 

D.  P.,  Page  72. 

8.     Mountains  stand  for  the  good  things  of  love,  and  their 

foundations  for  the  truths  of  faith.  A.  9643. 

The  earth  stands  for  the  church,  and  the  foundations 

of  the  mountains  for  the  truths  upon  which  the  goods  of 

love  are  founded.  E.  405. 

8-15.     In  zeal  He  has  subjugated  them  and  laid  them  low. 

P.  P. 

8-20.     Here  is  described  the  destruction  of  the  impious,  and 

the  well-being  of  the  faithful.  D.  P.,  Page  72. 

8,  16.     The  church  is  signified  by  the  globe  and  by  the 

earth.  R.  589- 

By  the  foundation  of  the  world  is  signified  the  estab- 


58  PSALM  XVIII. 

lishment  of  the  church,  for  the  same  is  understood  by  the 

world  as  by  heaven  and  the  earth.  E.  1057. 

9.     Anger  is  described  by  hre.  A.  9143. 

The  state  of  an  evil  man  when  he  is  angry  is  similar  to 
that  of  smoke,  which  when  fire  is  applied  to  it  conceives 
flame,  for  the  false  of  evil  in  the  intellect  is  as  smoke,  and 
anger  is  like  a  flame  of  kindled  smoke.  There  is  also  a 
correspondence  between  them.  Hence  it  is  that  in  the 
Word  smoke  stands  for  what  is  false,  and  the  flame  thereof 
signifies  anger.  A.  9144. 

Where  it  is  said  that  there  is  a  fire  from  Jehovah  which 
consumes  the  wicked,  and  that  Jehovah  acts  from  the  fire 
of  wrath,  of  anger  and  of  fury,  it  is  not  meant  that  it  is 
from  Jehovah,  but  from  the  infernal  love  of  the  wicked. 
Such  things  are  said  in  the  Word  because  they  are  appear- 
ances, and  the  Word  in  the  sense  of  the  letter  is  written 
by  appearances  and  correspondences.  R.  494. 

Smoke  in  the  opposite  sense  signifies  what  is  false  from 
evil,  because  the  fire  by  which  that  smoke  is  occasioned, 
signifies  evil  of  love.  E.  494. 

9,  10.  Fire  stands  for  the  hatreds  and  smoke  for  the  falsi- 
ties which  are  in  men,  which  are  attributed  to  Jehovah 
or  the  Lord.  A.  1861. 

See  Psalm  xi.  6.  Add:  evil,  hell  and  the  devil  do  these 
things,  by  no  means  the  Lord,  who  is  mercy  itself  and 
good  itself,  but  because  He  appears  to  do  them  therefore 
.  .  .  they  are  attributed  to  Him.  A.  2447. 

In  these  passages  it  is  not  meant  that  a  smoke  and  a 
devouring  fire  ascended  from  Jehovah,  for  there  is  no 
wrath  in  Him,  but  it  is  thus  said  because  the  Lord  so  ap- 
pears to  those  who  are  in  falsities  and  evils,  for  they  view 
Him  from  their  own  falsities  and  evils.  E.  539. 

9,  13,  14.     See  Psalm  xi.  6.  E.  504. 

9,  16.  See  Psalm  vi.  2.  A.  8286. 

10.  When  the  good  and  true  things  of  faith  are  perverted 
by  means  of  natural  light.     The  dusk  of  the  feet  —  Na- 


PSALM   XVIII. 


59 


hum  i.  3  —  signifies  the  natural  and  corporeal  things  with 
man,  from  which  are  clouds.  A.  2162. 

10,  11.  Thick  darkness  here  stands  for  clouds.  To  ride 
upon  a  cherub  represents  the  Lord's  providence,  lest  man 
should  of  himself  enter  into  the  mysteries  of  faith  which 
are  in  the  Word.  A.  2761. 

The  sense  of  the  letter  of  the  Word  is  a  guard  for  the 
genuine  truths  which  are  concealed  within.  It  is  a  guard 
in  this  respect  that  this  sense  may  be  turned  hither  and 
thither,  and  explained  according  to  one's  apprehension, 
and  yet  without  hurt  or  violence  to  its  internal.  This 
guard  is  signified  by  cherubs.  To  ride  upon  cherubs  and 
to  sit  upon  them  means  upon  the  ultimate  sense  of  the 
Word.  S.  97. 

By  the  cherubs  the  Divine  truth  in  the  ultima tes  as  a 
guard  is  signified.  To  ride  upon  the  cherubs,  to  sit  and 
to  be  seated  upon  them  is  upon  the  ultimate  sense  of  the 
Word.  R.  239. 

The  wings  of  the  wind  are  the  Divine  truths  which  flow 
in.  R.  343. 

Since  by  cherubs  is  signified  the  Word  in  the  ultimates, 
and  also  a  guard  it  is  therefore  said  "  Jehovah  bowed  the 
heavens,  and  came  down,  and  rode  upon  a  cherub."  To 
ride  upon  cherubs,  and  to  sit  upon  them  means  upon  the 
ultimate  sense  of  the  Word.  T.  260. 

Because  it  is  the  Divine  proceeding  from  the  Lord 
which  provides  and  guards,  therefore  it  is  said  concerning 
the  Lord  that  He  dwelleth  between  the  cherubim. 

E.  277. 

By  Jehovah  bowing  the  heavens  and  coming  down  is 
signified  visitation  which  precedes  the  last  judgment. 
By  the  darkness  under  His  feet  is  signified  the  falsities  of 
evil  in  things  beneath.  By  His  riding  upon  a  cherub, 
His  flying  and  being  carried  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind 
is  signified  omnipresence  with  the  Divine,  the  wings  of 
the  wind  standing  for  Divine  truths  in  ultimates.    E.  419. 


60  PSALM   XVIII. 

io,  12,  13.  The  subject  here  treated  of  is  concerning  the 
coming  and  presence  of  the  Lord  in  the  Word.  Thick 
darkness  under  His  feet  denotes  the  sense  of  the  letter  of 
the  Word,  in  like  manner  the  darkness  of  waters  and  the 
clouds  of  the  heavens.  That  nevertheless  the  Divine 
truth,  such  as  it  is  in  the  heavens  is  in  that  sense,  is  sig- 
nified by  setting  darkness  for  His  hiding  place.  That  at 
the  presence  of  the  Lord  the  internal  sense  appears  such 
as  it  is  in  heaven  in  its  glory,  is  signified  by  His  clouds 
passing  away  from  the  splendor  before  Him.  A.  9406. 
11.     Describing  the  Divine  truth  and  its  power.       A.  8764. 

Since  guard  and  providence  to  prevent  the  Lord  being 
come  at,  as  also  heaven,  except  by  the  good  of  love  is  sig- 
nified by  cherubs,  therefore  in  the  Word  Jehovah  is  said 
to  sit  upon  cherubs,  also  to  ride  and  to  dwell  upon  cherubs. 

A.  9509.. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  8.  R.  245. 

The  understanding  of  the  Word  is  meant  by  a  horse. 
God  rode  upon  a  cherub.  R.  298. 

By  flying  when  in  the  Word  it  is  predicated  of  the  Lord 
is  signified  omnipresence,  since  omnipresence  is  infinite 
circumspection  and  infinite  presence.  E.  282. 

By  Jehovah  riding  upon  a  cherub  is  signified  His  Di- 
vine providence.  By  the  expression  "and  did  fly*'  is 
signified  His  omnipresence  in  the  spiritual  world.  "Yea 
He  did  fly  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind"  stands  for 
His  omnipresence  in  the  natural  world.  The  wings  of 
the  wind  signify  things  spiritual,  from  which  are  things 
natural.  E.  283. 

By  riding  is  signified  to  give  intelligence  and  wisdom. 

E.  355- 

By  a  cherub  is  signified  the  inmost  heaven,  by  riding  is 
signified  to  give  understanding  and  to  enlighten,  in  this 
case  the  inmost  heaven  which  is  signified  by  a  cherub. 
By  flying  is  also  signified  to  give  understanding  and  to 
enlighten  but  the  middle  heaven.     By  flying  upon  the 


PSALM   XVIII.  6 1 

wings  of  the  wind  is  signified  to  give  understanding  and 

to  enlighten  the  ultimate  heaven.  E.  529. 

In  these  places  to  ride  signifies  to  instruct  and  to  be 

instructed  in  the  truths  of  doctrine,  and  so  to  become  wise. 

W.  H. 

11,  12.  The  subject  is  the  Divine  revelation  of  the  Word. 
See  also  ii.  Samuel  xxii.  10,  12.  To  bow  the  heavens 
and  come  down  means  to  hide  the  interiors  of  the  Word. 
The  thick  darkness  under  His  feet  means  that  the  things 
which  appear  to  man  are  darkness  in  comparison  —  such 
is  the  literal  sense  of  the  Word.  To  ride  upon  a  cherub 
means  that  it  was  so  provided.  To  put  darkness  round 
about  Him  for  tents,  or  His  surroundings  for  His  tent 
means  the  holy  of  truth  in  its  hiding  place,  namely  within 
the  literal  sense.  The  gathering  of  waters,  thick  clouds 
of  the  skies  are  the  Word  in  the  letter.  A.  4391. 

11-13.  The  cherubs  also  signify  the  WTord.  A  tent  sig- 
nifies a  dwelling.  R.  24. 
To  ride  signifies  to  instruct  in  Divine  truths  from  "he 
Word,  for  a  horse  signifies  the  understanding  of  the  Word. 
Cherubs  also  signify  the  Word.  T.  776. 
Here  also  is  described  the  illustration  of  the  Word  and 
thence  the  illumination  of  the  men  of  the  church.  Illus- 
tration by  the  influx  of  Divine  truth  from  the  heavens  is 
signified  by  "  he  rode  upon  a  cherub  and  did  fly."  Divine 
truth  in  ultimates  which  is  illustrated  is  signified  by  the 
wings  of  the  wind,  darkness,  dark  waters,  and  thick 
clouds  of  the  skies.  The  various  degrees  of  the  under- 
standing receiving  illumination  are  signified  by  those 
things.  That  the  obscurities  of  the  literal  sense  —  or 
the  ultimate  sense  —  are  thereby  dissipated  is  understood 
by  "  at  the  brightness  that  was  before  him  his  thick  clouds 
passed."                                                                       E.  594. 

12-15.     Here  hailstones  stand  for  falsity  from  evil. 

A.  7553- 
Since  by  hail  are  signified  falsities,  and  by  fire  the  evils 


62  PSALM   XVIII. 

from  which  they  spring,  therefore  where  hail  is  spoken  of 
so  also  is  fire.  A.  7575. 

13-15.  Hail  signifies  falsity  destroying  good  and  truth,  by 
the  fire  is  signified  infernal  love,  and  by  the  blood  falsifi- 
cation of  truth.  Blood  is  the  Lord's  Divine  truth,  which 
is  also  the  Word,  and  in  the  opposite  sense  the  Word 
falsified.  R.  399. 

13-15.  In  these  passages  by  hailstones  and  coals  of  fire  are 
signified  falsities  and  evils  destroying  the  truths  and  goods 
of  the  church.  The  reason  of  its  being  said  that  such 
things  are  from  Jehovah  is,  because  the  Divine  truth  de- 
scending from  heaven  is  turned  into  infernal  falsities  with 
the  evil.  E.  503. 

14.     See  Psalm  vii.  18.  A.  8153. 

14,   15.     Uttering  His  voice,  hailstones  and  coals  of  fire 

stand  for  the  devastation  of  truth  and  good  by  falsities 

and  evils  of  lusts.  A.  7573. 

Thunders  and  lightnings  signify  the  Divine  truth  in 

regard  to  understanding  and  illumination.  E.  273. 

16.     See  Psalm  vi.  2.  A.  8286. 

Foundations  are  the  truths  of  faith,  for  these  truths  of 
the  church  are  for  foundations.  A.  9643. 

The  Lord  is  called  the  spirit  or  breath  of  our  nostrils  — 
Lamentations  iv.  20.  Because  Divine  truth  consumes 
and  vastates  the  evil  it  is  said  in  David  "  The  foundations 
of  the  world  were  revealed  (uncovered)  at  thy  rebuke,  O 
Jehovah,  at  the  respiration  of  the  breath  of  thy  nostrils." 

A.  9818. 
See  Psalm  xi.  6.  R.  343. 

By  the  world  is  not  signified  the  world  of  lands,  but  the 
church  in  it.  R.  551. 

Since  the  spirit  of  God  signifies  Divine  truth,  it  is  there- 
fore called  " the  spirit  of  the  mouth  of  Jehovah"  —  Psalm 
xxxiii.  6  —  "  the  spirit  of  His  lips"  —  Isaiah  xi.  4  —  "  the 
anointed  of  Jehovah  and  breath  of  His  nostrils"  —  Lam- 
entations iv.  20:  Job  iv.  9.  E.  183. 


PSALM   XVIII.  63 

By  the  breath,  spirit  and  breathing  of  the  nostrils  of 
Jehovah  is  understood  the  Divine  proceeding,  whereby 
the  evil  are  dispersed  and  cast  down  when  it  flows  in  in- 
tensely and  strongly.  E.  419. 

That  all  things  of  the  church  as  to  the  truths  and  as 
to  the  goods  thereof  were  utterly  overturned  is  signified 
by  the  channels  of  the  waters  appeared,  and  the  founda- 
tions of  the  world  were  discovered.  The  channels  of  the 
waters  stand  for  the  truths,  and  the  foundations  of  the 
world  for  the  goods  thereof.  To  appear  and  be  discov- 
ered means  to  be  utterly  overturned.  That  this  destruc- 
tion is  from  the  hatred  and  the  fury  of  the  evil  against 
things  Divine  is  signified  by,  at  Thy  rebuke,  O  Jehovah, 
at  the  blast  of  the  breath  of  Thy  nostrils.  By  the  rebuke 
and  the  breath  of  the  nostrils  of  Jehovah  is  signified  the 
same  as  by  His  anger  and  wrath,  elsewhere  mentioned  in 
the  Word.  But, as  there  does  not  exist  any  anger  or 
wrath  in  the  Lord  against  the  evil,  but  in  the  evil  against 
the  Lord,  and  these  appear  to  them  when  they  perish  as 
from  the  Lord,  therefore  it  is  so  said  according  to  appear- 
ance. By  the  blast  of  the  breath  of  the  nostrils  of  Jehovah 
is  also  understood  the  east  wind,  which  destroys  by 
drought,  and  by  its  penetrating  power  overturns.    E.  741. 

Thus  the  Divine  truth  appears.  P.  P. 

17.     High  means  what  is  Divine,  because  by  it  is  meant 

heaven,  where  the  Divine  is.     Therefore  in  the  Word  it  is 

said  of  Jehovah,  or  the  Lord,  that  He  dwells  on  high,  and 

He  himself  is  called  the  Highest.  A.  8153. 

17-20.     From  His  Divine  He  has  prevailed  over  them. 

P.  P. 

19,  20.  The  day  of  calamity  stands  for  a  weak  state  in 
respect  to  the  faith  of  truth,  Jehovah  being  a  staff  stands 
for  power  thence.  Bringing  forth  into  a  large  broad 
place  means  into  the  truths  which  are  of  faith.     A.  9028. 

20.  That  truth  is  signified  by  breadth  may  be  evident  from 
these  passages.     See  also  Psalm  xxxi.  8;  cxviii.  5,  etc. 

R.  861. 


64  PSALM   XVIII. 

21,  27,  31,  33.     Justice  and  integrity  belonged  to  the  Lord. 

P.  P. 

26.     See  Psalm  xv.  1,2.  A.  612. 

29.     A  lamp  stands  for  faith,  and  the  intelligence  of  truth, 

and  the  wisdom  of  good,  which  are  from  the  Lord  alone. 

A.  9548. 
To  light  a  lamp  or  candle  signifies  to  illuminate  the 
understanding  by  Divine  truth.     To  enlighten  the  dark- 
ness signifies  to  dissipate  the  falsities  of  ignorance  by  the 
light  of  truth.  E.  274. 

Darkness  also  signifies  in  the  Word  mere  ignorance, 
arising  from  the  deprivation  of  truth.  E.  526. 

29,   30.     Also  Divine  truth.  P.  P. 

32.     That  God  is  One  is  confirmed  by  these  passages. 

L-  45 
32.     For  who  is  God  save  Jehovah?    And  who  is  a  rock 
save  our  God?  D.  P.,  Page  63. 

He  is  the  only  God.  P.  P. 

32,  47.     See  Psalm  xviii.  32.     Add:  Jehovah  liveth,  and 
blessed  be  my  rock,  and  exalted  be  the  God  of  my  sal- 
vation. D.  P.,  Page  63. 
33-37.     He  fights  from  His  Divine.  P.  P. 

34.  That  by  a  hind  is  signified  natural  affection  is,  because 
it  is  among  the  beasts  which  signify  affections,  as  all  those 
are  which  are  for  food  and  use,  as  lambs,  sheep,  goats,  and 
kids,  also  oxen  and  cows.  A.  6413. 

35.  By  war  here  mentioned  is  meant  war  in  the  spiritual 
sense,  which  is  war  against  evils  and  falsities,  this  war 
God  teaches.  By  the  bow  of  brass  is  signified  the  doctrine 
of  charity,  and  by  its  being  broken  by  the  arms  is  signified 
victory.  E.  357. 

By  teaching  the  hands  war  is  not  understood  war  against 
enemies  in  this  world,  but  against  enemies  in  hell,  which 
is  effected  by  combats  of  truth  against  falses  and  against 
evils.  It  appears  indeed  as  if  war  were  here  understood, 
such  as  David  waged  against  his  enemies,  and  so  that 


PSALM   XVIII.  65 

Jehovah  teaches  that  war,  and  how  to  let  down  a  bow  of 
brass  upon  the  arms,  but  still  spiritual  war  is  understood, 
and  also  a  spiritual  bow  which  is  the  doctrine  of  truth,  and 
a  bow  of  brass  the  doctrine  of  the  good  of  life,  and  this 
because  the  Word  viewed  in  its  essence  is  spiritual. 

E.  734- 

36.     See  Psalm  vii.  10,  11.  A.  1788. 

The  right  hand  of  Jehovah  is  Divine  power.   A.  10019. 

Memorable  Relation.     If  you  consult  the  Word  and  are 

such  that  you  can  be  enlightened,  you  will  perceive  that 

by  the  right  hand  there  is  meant  omnipotence.        T.  136. 

See  Psalm  xvi.  8.  E.  298. 

38-41.     And  subjugates  the  hells.  P.  P. 

42.  They  have  no  saviour.  P.  P. 

43.  Since  the  streets  signify  the  truths  of  the  doctrine  of 
the  church,  therefore  they  taught  in  the  streets  —  ii.  Sam- 
uel i.  20  —  and  on  this  account  the  hypocrites  prayed  at 
the  corners  of  the  streets  —  Matthew  vi.  2,  5. —  For  this 
reason  falsity  and  what  is  falsified  is  called  the  mud,  the 
dirt,  and  the  dung  of  the  streets.  R.  501. 

These  things  are  also  said  from  appearances  in  the 
spiritual  world,  for  in  the  cities  in  that  world  where  falses 
from  evil  reign,  the  streets  appear  full  of  dung,  mire,  and 
mud.  E.  652. 

43,  46.     Therefore  they  will  be  destroyed.  P.  P. 

44.  Here  the  people  stand  for  those  who  are  in  truths,  and 
the  nations  for  those  who  are  in  good.  They  are  both 
mentioned  because  they  constitute  the  man  of  the  church. 

A.  1259. 
See  Psalm  xviii.  5,  6,  15,  38,  39,  40,  41,  43-  L-  J4- 

That  there  are  in  the  Word  repetitions  as  of  the  same 
thing  on  account  of  the  marriage  of  good  and  truth  may 
be  seen  more  clearly  from  the  passages  where  nations  and 
peoples  are  mentioned.  By  nations  are  meant  those  who 
are  in  good,  and  by  peoples  those  who  are  in  truths,'  and 
in  the  opposite  sense  those  who  are  in  falsities,  wherefore 


66  PSALM   XVIII. 

44  they  who  are  in  the  Lord's  spiritual  kingdom  are  called 
peoples,  and  they  who  are  in  the  Lord's  celestial  kingdom 
are  called  nations.  S.  86. 

That  peoples  signify  those  who  are  in  truths  or  falsities 
of  doctrine,  and  nations  those  who  are  in  the  goods  or 
evils  of  life  may  be  evident  from  many  places  in  the  Word. 

R.  483. 
It  would  be  tedious  to  show  from  the  Word  that  there  are 
such  dual  expressions  in  the  Word,  appearing  like  repeti- 
tions of  the  same  thing.  Nations  and  peoples  are  men- 
tioned together,  because  by  nations  are  meant  those  who 
are  in  good,  and  in  the  opposite  sense  those  who  are  in 
evil,  and  by  people  those  who  are  in  truths,  and  in  the 
opposite  sense  those  who  are  in  falsities.  T.  251. 

Nations  signify  those  who  are  in  the  good  of  love,  and 
people  those  who  are  in  the  good  of  charity,  and  the  truths 
of  faith  thence  derived.  E.  331. 

44,  45.  Then  there  will  be  a  new  church  which  will  ac- 
knowledge and  worship  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

47.     Verse  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  63. 

47-51.  A  song  of  that  church  in  praise  of  the  Lord  on 
account  of  redemption.  P.  P. 

49.  A  man  of  violence  stands  for  those  who  destroy  the 
truths  of  faith  and  the  goods  of  charity.  A.  6353. 


PSALM  XIX. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.      A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     The  heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God; 

And  the  firmament  showeth  his  handiwork. 

2.  Day  unto  day  uttereth  speech, 

And  night  unto  night  showeth  knowledge. 

3.  There  is  no  speech  nor  language; 
Their  voice  is  not  heard. 


PSALM  XIX.  67 

4.  Their  line  is  gone  out  through  all  the  earth, 
And  their  words  to  the  end  of  the  world. 

In  them  hath  he  set  a  tabernacle  for  the  sun, 

5.  Which  is  as  a  bridegroom  coming  out  of  his  chamber, 
And  rejoiceth  as  a  strong  man  to  run  his  course. 

6.  His  going  forth  is  from  the  end  of  the  heavens, 
And  his  circuit  unto  the  ends  of  it; 

And  there  is  nothing  hid  from  the  heat  thereof. 

7.  The  law  of  Jehovah  is  perfect,  restoring  the  soul: 
The  testimony  of  Jehovah  is  sure,  making  wise  the 

simple. 

8.  The  precepts  of  Jehovah  are  right,  rejoicing  the  heart: 
The  commandment  of  Jehovah  is  pure,  enlightening 

the  eyes. 

9.  The  fear  of  Jehovah  is  clean,  enduring  for  ever: 

The  ordinances  of  Jehovah  are  true,  and  righteous 
altogether. 
10.     More  to  be  desired  are  they  than  gold,  yea,  than  much 
fine  gold; 
Sweeter  also  than  honey  and  the  droppings  of  the 
honeycomb, 
n.     Moreover  by  them  is  thy  servant  warned: 
In  keeping  them  there  is  great  reward. 

12.  Who  can  discern  his  errors? 
Clear  thou  me  from  hidden  faults. 

13.  Keep  back  thy  servant  also  from  presumptuous  sins; 
Let  them  not  have  dominion  over  me: 

Then  shall  I  be  upright, 

And  I  shall  be  clear  from  great  transgression. 

14.  Let  the  words  of  my  mouth  and  the  meditation  of  my 

heart 
Be  acceptable  in  thy  sight, 
O  Jehovah,  my  rock,  and  my  redeemer. 


68  PSALM   XIX. 

Psalm  XIX. 

1-5.     The  Divine  truth  will  go  forth  in  every  direction. 

P.  P. 

2.     In  these  passages  by  heavens  are  signified  the  angelic 

heavens.  A.  9408. 

The  glory  of  Jehovah,  when  concerning  the  Word,  sig- 
nifies its  internal  sense,  thus  the  interiors  of  the  Word. 
The  reason  why  the  interiors  of  the  Word  are  called  glory 
is,  because  the  Divine  truth  proceeding  from  the  Lord  as  a 
sun  is  the  light  of  heaven,  which  gives  sight  to  the  angels 
there,  and  at  the  same  time  intelligence  and  wisdom. 
From  that  Divine  light  is  all  glory  in  heaven,  which  is  such 
as  to  exceed  all  human  apprehension.  A.  9429. 

The  angels  of  heaven  perceive  nothing  else  by  glory 
than  the  Divine  truth.  R.  629. 

The  glory  in  which  the  Lord  is  to  come  signifies  Divine 
truth  in  its  light,  in  which  the  spiritual  sense  of  the  Word 
is.  T.  780. 

5.  The  sun  stands  for  love.  A.  414. 
By  the  sun  is  here  understood  the  Divine  love,  because 

the  Lord  dwells  in  the  good  of  His  own  love  in  the  heavens. 
The  tabernacle  here  stands  for  the  Lord's  heaven  from 
the  good  of  love.  E.  799. 

6.  7.  Speaking  of  the  Lord,  whose  state  of  Divine  power 
is  described  by  such  things  as  are  of  space.  A.  3387. 

This  truth  will  go  forth  from  the. Lord  from  the  first 
things  to  the  last  things  of  heaven  and  the  church. 

P.  P. 

7.  From  the  extremity  of  the  heavens  to  their  extremities 
stands  for  all  things  and  every  where.  A.  9666. 

%  The  precepts  of  the  decalogue  were  therefore  called  the 
testimony,  because  they  were  of  the  covenant,  and  thus 
of  the  conjunction  between  the  Lord  and  man,  which  con- 
junction cannot  exist  unless  man  keeps  the  precepts,  not 
flnly  in  the  external  form,  but  also  in  the  internal. 

A.  4197- 


PSALM   XIX.  69 

8-10.  The  subject  is  the  Word  and  the  things  which  are 
of  the  Word,  which  are  manifestly  its  precepts,  statutes, 
judgments,  testimonies,  commandments,  and  ways. 
What  these  things  signify  specifically  cannot  at  all  be  seen 
from  the  sense  of  the  letter,  in  which  sense  they  are  hardly 
more  than  repetitions  of  the  same  thing.  But  it  may  be 
seen  from  the  internal  sense  in  which  one  thing  is  signified 
by  precepts,  quite  another  by  statutes,  and  others  by  judg- 
ments, testimonies,  commandments,  and  ways.      A.  3382. 

As  to  what  concerns  the  signification  of  testimony  a  dis- 
tinction is  made  in  the  Word  between  laws,  statutes,  judg- 
ments, precepts,  testimonies,  words,  commands,  truths, 
covenants,  as  may  be  manifest  from  very  many  passages 
especially  in  Psalm  cxix.  where  all  those  things  are  named, 
and  testimonies  in  verses  2,  14,  31,  46,  59,  88,  91,  in,  124, 
138,  144,  168.  A.  9503. 

By  testimonies  and  commandments  are  signified  such 
things  as  teach  life,  by  the  law  and  precepts  those  which 
teach  doctrine,  and  by  statutes  and  judgments  those  which 
teach  rituals.  E.  392. 

8-12.  This  Divine  truth  perfects  man,  because  it  is 
wisdom.  P.  P. 

9,  10.  "The  fear  of  Jehovah  is  clean"  means  love,  and 
"the  judgments  of  Jehovah  are  truth"  means  faith. 

A.  2826. 

The  judgments  of  Jehovah  stand  for  truth  Divine, 
sweeter  than  honey  and  the  dropping  of  the  honeycomb 
for  enjoyments  from  good,  and  pleasures  from  truth. 

A.  5620. 

Judgment  relates  to  truth,  and  justice  to  good.   R.  668. 

By  the  judgments  of  Jehovah  are  signified  the  truths 
and  goods  of  worship,  righteousness  or  justice  being  predi- 
cated of  the  good  of  life  and  worship  thence  derived.  As 
good  is  also  signified  by  gold,  and  fine  gold,  it  is  therefore 
said  that  they  are  more  desirable  than  gold  and  than  much 
fine  gold,  gold  standing  for  celestial  good,  fine  gold  for 


70  PSALM   XIX. 

10  spiritual  good,  and  desirable  meaning  what  is  of  the  affec- 
tion and  love.  Since  the  goods  with  which  a  man  is  af- 
fected are  also  delightful,  therefore  it  is  said  that  they  are 
sweeter  than  honey  and  the  dropping  of  the  honeycombs. 
Sweet  denoting  what  is  delightful,  honey  natural  good, 
and  the  dropping  of  the  honeycombs  natural  truth. 

E.  619. 

13,  14.     There  will  be  no  pride.  P.  P. 

15.     By  Jehovah  in  the  Word  of  the  Old  Testament  no 

other  is  meant  than  the  Lord,  for  He  is  called  Jehovah 

God  and  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  the  Redeemer,  the 

Saviour,  the  Maker.  A.  7091. 

Since  the  Lord  by  the  passion  of  the  cross  fully  glorified 
His  Human,  that  is  united  it  to  His  Divine,  and  thus  made 
His  Human  also  Divine,  it  follows  that  He  is  Jehovah 
and  God  as  to  both.  Wherefore  in  many  places  in  the 
Word  He  is  called  Jehovah,  God,  and  the  Holy  One  of 
Israel,  the  Redeemer,  Saviour,  and  Former.  L.  34. 

Now,  because  after  the  union  of  the  Human  with  the 
Divine  in  himself,  which  was  like  that  of  the  soul  and  the 
body  in  man,  there  were  no  longer  two  but  one  person, 
according  to  the  doctrine  of  the  Christian  world,  therefore 
the  Lord  as  to  both  is  Jehovah  and  God,  wherefore  it  is 
sometimes  said  Jehovah  and  the'  Holy  One  of  Israel,  the 
Redeemer  and  Saviour,  and  sometimes  Jehovah  the  Re- 
deemer and  Saviour.  L.  34. 

That  the  Lord  is  called  Jehovah  is  manifest  from  these 
passages.  L.  38. 

These  passages  prove  that  Jehovah  and  the  Lord  are 
one,  and  because  they  are  one,  and  not  two,  that  the  Lord 
from  eternity  who  is  Jehovah  himself,  is  by  the  assump- 
tion of  the  Human  the  Redeemer  and  Saviour.       R.  281. 

That  the  Divine  which  is  called  the  Father,  and  the 
Divine  Human  which  is  called  the  Son,  are  one  like  the 
soul  and  the  body.  R.  613. 

Memorable  Relation.     Being  confirmed  from  all  these 


PSALM   XIX.  71 

passages,  those  that  sat  upon  the  seats  said  unanimously 
that  Jehovah  assumed  the  Human  to  save  and  redeem 
men.  R.  962. 

The  foregoing  statement  repeated.  B.  120. 

From  these  passages  —  Isaiah  xlviii.  17;  xliii.  14:  Psalm 
xxxi.  5,  etc.,  and  very  many  others  every  man  who  has  eyes, 
and  whose  mind  has  been  opened  by  means  of  them  can 
see  that  God,  who  is  one,  descended  and  became  man  for 
the  purpose  of  accomplishing  the  work  of  redemption. 

T.  83. 

Statement  of  R.  962  repeated  in  T.  188. 

The  spiritual  sense  of  the  first  commandment  is,  that 
no  other  God  than  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  to  be  wor- 
shipped, because  He  is  Jehovah,  who  came  into  the  world 
and  wrought  the  redemption,  without  which  no  man  and 
no  angel  could  have  been  saved.  T.  294. 

In  that  primeval  time  (the  Apostolic  Church)  all  in 
what  was  then  the  Christian  world  acknowledged  that 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  was  God,  to  whom  was  given  all 
power  in  heaven  and  earth,  and  power  over  all  flesh,  ac- 
cording to  His  own  express  words.  T.  637. 

Redemption  stands  for  deliverance  from  damnation. 
This  vindication  and  liberation  was  effected  by  the  Lord's 
subjugating  the  hells.  The  continual  vindication  and 
liberation  is  effected  by  His  having  glorified  His  Human, 
that  is  having  made  it  Divine,  for  thereby  the  hells  are 
kept  continually  subjugated.  This  is  what  is  signified  by 
His  redeeming  man,  and  by  His  being  called  in  the  Word 
a  Redeemer.  E.  328. 

Here  by  "O  Jehovah,  my  rock"  is  signified  the  same 
as  by  Jehovah  God,  namely  the  Lord  as  to  Divine  good 
and  Divine  truth,  and  He  is  called  Redeemer  from  regen- 
eration, which  is  effected  by  Divine  truths.  E.  411. 

That  the  Lord  the  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  is  called  in  the 
Word  of  both  testaments  a  stone  and  a  rock  is  plain  from 
the  following  passages,  Deuteronomy  xxxii.  15,  18,  30: 
ii.  Samuel  xxiii.  3:  Psalm  lxxviii.  10, 11,  22,  32,  35,  42,  etc. 

Coro.    2. 


72  PSALM   XIX. 

Thus  there  will  be  what  is  pure  and  acceptable.    P.  P. 

Jehovah  my  rock  and  my  redeemer.       D.  P.,  Page  86. 

Whole  Chapter.     The  Lord  is  treated  of  in  the  whole 

Word.  Ath. 


PSALM  XX. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

Jehovah  answer  thee  in  the  day  of  trouble; 

The  name  of  the  God  of  Jacob  set  thee  up  on  high; 

Send  thee  help  from  the  sanctuary, 

And  strengthen  thee  out  of  Zion; 

Remember  all  thy  offerings, 

And  accept  thy  burnt-sacrifice;  [Selah 

Grant  thee  thy  heart's  desire, 

And  fulfil  all  thy  counsel. 

We  will  triumph  in  thy  salvation, 

And  in  the  name  of  our  God  we  will  set  up  our  banners : 

Jehovah  fulfil  all  thy  petitions. 

6.  Now  know  I  that  Jehovah  saveth  his  anointed; 
He  will  answer  him  from  his  holy  heaven 
With  the  saving  strength  of  his  right  hand. 

7.  Some  trust  in  chariots,  and  some  in  horses; 

But  we  will  make  mention  of  the  name  of  Jehovah  our 
God. 

8.  They  are  bowed  down  and  fallen; 
But  we  are  risen,  and  stand  upright. 

9.  Save,  Jehovah: 

Let  the  King  answer  us  when  we  call. 

Psalm  XX. 

1.  In  the  Word  of  the  Old  Testament  by  the  God  of  Jacob, 
and  by  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  the  Lord  himself  is  sig- 
nified. A.  3305. 

1-5.  A  song  in  praise  of  the  Lord,  that  He  sustains  the 
church.  P.  P. 


PSALM  XX.  73 

2.  Jehovah  answer  thee,  the  name  of  the  God  of  Jacob  set 
thee  up  on  high.  D.  P.,  Page  63. 

2,  3.  The  sanctuary  stands  for  the  heaven  in  which  is  the 
truth  of  faith,  and  Zion  for  the  heaven  in  which  is  the  good 
of  love.  A.  8330. 

3,  4.  Burnt-offerings  and  sacrifices  stand  for  all  worship, 
burnt-offerings  for  worship  from  love,  sacrifices  for  wor- 
ship from  faith  from  love.  A.  923. 

3,  6.     See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  R.  612. 

3,  6,  7.  These  things  are  also  said  concerning  the  Lord,  and 
concerning  His  victories  over  the  hells,  and  the  salvation 
of  men  thereby  obtained.  Combats  and  victories  are 
understood  by  Jehovah  answering  His  anointed  from  the 
heaven  of  His  Holiness,  by  the  virtues  of  the  salvation  of 
His  right  hand.  The  salvation  of  the  faithful  thereby  is 
understood  by  His  supporting  us  out  of  Zion,  and  by  our 
singing  in  His  salvation.  E.  850. 

4.  To  make  fat  the  burnt  sacrifice  means  to  render  the 
worship  good.  A.  5943. 

As  fat  signifies  celestial  good,  it  was  therefore  a  statute 
that  all  the  fat  of  the  sacrifices  should  be  burned  upon  the 
altar.  R.  782. 

By  fat  is  signified  all  the  good  of  heaven  and  of  the 

church.  E.  11 59. 

6.     See  Psalm  ii.  2,  6.  R.  779. 

We  will  set  up  our  standard,  Jehovah  fulfil  all  thy 
petitions.  D.  P.,  Page  63. 

6.  7,  10.     That  salvation  is  from  Him.  P.  P. 

7.  See  Psalm  ii.  2.  A.  3008. 
Divine  power  or  omnipotence  is  also  signified  by  the 

right  hand.  A.  8281. 

See  Psalm  ii.  2,  6.  .  A.  9954. 

See  Psalm  ii.  2,  6.  E.  375. 

8.  A  horse  signifies  the  understanding  of  truth  and  a 
chariot  doctrine.  In  the  opposite  sense  however  a  horse 
signifies  the  understanding  of  truth  when  falsified  by 
reasonings.  W.  H. 


74  PSALM   XX. 

8,  9.  A  chariot  signifies  doctrine  from  the  Word,  and  a 
horseman  one  who  is  wise  therefrom.  In  Zechariah  vi. 
1-8,  15,  the  understanding  of  the  Word,  or  the  under- 
standing of  truth  from  the  Word  is  signified  by  horses. 
This  may  be  still  more  evident  from  horses  when  men- 
tioned in  the  opposite  sense,  in  which  they  signify  the 
understanding  of  the  Word  and  of  truth  falsified  by  rea- 
sonings, and  also  destroyed,  also  one's  own  intelligence 
as  here.  R.  298. 

By  trusting  in  the  chariots  and  in  horses,  and  by  the 
strength  of  a  horse  in  which  Jehovah  does  not  delight  — 
Psalm  cxlvii.  10,  are  signified  all  things  which  are  from 
self-derived  intelligence,  from  which  are  merely  falsities. 
By  the  legs  of  a  man  are  signified  what  is  from  self-will, 
from  which  are  merely  evils.  E.  355. 

That  those  are  saved  who  trust  in  Him,  and  those  per- 
ish who  trust  in  themselves.  P.  P. 
10.     See  Psalm  iv.  2.                                                    R.  376. 

The  Lord  as  King  is  the  Divine  truth  because  this  is 
signified  by  a  king.  It  is  from  this  that  heaven  and  the 
church  are  called  His  Kingdom.  R.  664. 

See  Psalm  iv.  2.  E.  471. 


PSALM  XXI. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

The  king  shall  joy  in  thy  strength,  O  Jehovah; 

And  in  thy  salvation  how  greatly  shall  he  rejoice  1 

Thou  hast  given  him  his  heart's  desire, 

And  hast  not  withholden  the  request  of  his  lips.     TSelah 

For  thou  meetest  him  with  the  blessings  of  goodness: 

Thou  settest  a  crown  of  fine  gold  on  his  head. 

He  asked  life  of  thee,  thou  gavest  it  him, 

Even  length  of  days  for  ever  and  ever. 

His  glory  is  great  in  thy  salvation: 

Honor  and  majesty  dost  thou  lay  upon  him. 


PSALM   XXI.  75 

6.  For  thou  makest  him  most  blessed  for  evert 
Thou  makest  him  glad  with  joy  in  thy  presence. 

7.  For  the  king  trusteth  in  Jehovah; 

And  through  the  lovingkindness  of  the  Most  High  he 
shall  not  be  moved. 

8.  Thy  hand  will  find  out  all  thine  enemies; 

Thy  right  hand  will  find  out  those  that  hate  thee. 

9.  Thou  wilt  make  them  as  a  fiery  furnace  in  the  time  of 

thine  anger: 
Jehovah  will  swallow  them  up  in  his  wrath, 
And  the  fire  shall  devour  them. 

10.  Their  fruit  wilt  thou  destroy  from  the  earth, 
And  their  seed  from  among  the  children  of  men. 

11.  For  they  intended  evil  against  thee; 

They  conceived  a  device  which  they  are  not  able  to 
perform. 

12.  For  thou  wilt  make  them  turn  their  back; 

Thou  wilt  make  ready  with  thy  bowstrings  against  their 
face. 

13.  Be  thou  exalted,  O  Jehovah,  in  thy  strength: 
So  will  we  sing  and  praise  thy  power. 


Psalm  XXI. 

General  Subject.     Concerning  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

1-7.  From  His  Divine  He  has  all  good  and  truth,  thus 
honour  and  glory.  P.  P. 

4,  6,  7.  By  the  king  here  mentioned  is  not  understood 
David,  but  the  Lord,  who  is  called  king  from  the  Divine 
spiritual  which  proceeds  from  His  Divine  Human.  As 
blessing  signifies  acknowledgment,  glorification,  and 
thanksgiving  that  all  good  and  truth,  and  thence  heaven 
and  eternal  felicity  are  from  Him,  it  is  hence  evident  what 
is  signified  by  "  thou  preventest  him  with  the  blessings  of 
goodness "  and  by  "  For  thou  settest  him  to  be  blessings 
for  evermore."  Blessings  of  goodness  signify  truths  from 
good.     A  crown  of  pure  gold  signifies  the  good  from 


76  PSALM  XXI. 

which  these  truths  are  derived.     Honour  and  glory  sig- 
nify the  Divine  good  and  the  Divine  truth.  E.  340. 

5.  Length  applied  to  time  signifies  perpetuity  and  eternity, 
as  length  of  days  in  Psalms  xxi.  4,  5  and  xxiii.  6,  but  if 
applied  to  space  it  stands  for  the  holiness  which  follows 
therefrom.  A.  650. 

6.  7.     See  Psalm  viii.  6.  R.  249. 

See  Psalm  xvi.  7.  R.  289. 

These  things  are  spoken  concerning  the  Lord..  By 
the  honour  and  majesty  said  to  be  laid  upon  Him  are 
understood  all  Divine  truth  and  Divine  good.  E.  288. 

7.  This  also  is  said  concerning  the  Lord.  When  He  is 
called  a  blessing,  it  signifies  that  from  Him  are  all  celestial 
and  spiritual  things,  which  alone  are  good,  and  because 
they  alone  are  good  they  alone  are  true.  Therefore  as  far 
as  there  are  celestial  and  spiritual  good  things  in  natural, 
worldly,  and  corporeal  things,  so  far  these  are  good,  and 
so  far  are  blessed.  A.  1420. 

8-13.  Those  who  study  the  Word  are  worse  off,  because 
they  study  it  from  something  profane  that  is  within. 
There  is  no  good  and  truth.  Their  heart  is  stubborn. 
Verse  14.     Hence  their  destruction.  P.  P. 

10.  In  these  passages  by  fire  is  signified  all  lust  originating 
in  the  love  of  evil,  and  its  punishment  which  is  torment. 

E.  504. 
The  time  of  wrath.  D.  P.,  Page  71. 

11.  By  fruit  of  the  ground  are  meant  works  of  faith  with- 
out charity,  for  these  are  works  of  no  faith  in  themselves 
dead,  since  they  are  only  of  the  external  man.        A.  348. 

That  those  who  are  of  the  New  Church  and  in  the  truth 
of  its  doctrine  are  here  meant  by  the  seed  of  the  woman, 
may  be  evident  from  the  signification  of  seed  in  the  fol- 
lowing passages:  Isaiah  lxi.  9;  lxv.  23;  Psalm  xxii.  30: 
Genesis  iii.  15,  etc.  R.  565. 

By  seed  is  signified  the  truth  of  doctrine  from  the  Word, 
and  in  the  supreme  sense,  Divine  truth.  E.  768. 


PSALM  XXII.  77 

12,  13.  "Thou  wilt  set  the  shoulder  against  them."  To 
set  the  shoulder  against  them  means  also  to  resist,  thus 
stands  for  power.  A.  9836. 

14.     See  P.  P.  under  verses  8-13.  P.  P. 


PSALM  XXII. 


For  the  Chief  Musician;  set  to  Aijeleth  hash-Shahar.    A  Psalm 
of  David. 

1 .  My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me  ? 
Why  art  thou  so  far  from  helping  me,  and  from  the 

words  of  my  groaning? 

2.  O  my  God,  I  cry  in  the  day-time,  but  thou  answerest 

not; 
And  in  the  night  season,  and  am  not  silent. 

3.  But  thou  art  holy, 

O  thou  that  inhabitest  the  praises  of  Israel. 

4.  Our  fathers  trusted  in  thee: 

They  trusted,  and  thou  didst  deliver  them. 

5.  They  cried  unto  thee,  and  were  delivered: 
They  trusted  in  thee,  and  were  not  put  to  shame. 

6.  But  I  am  a  worm,  and  no  man; 

A  reproach  of  men,  and  despised  of  the  people. 

7.  All  they  that  see  me  laugh  me  to  scorn: 

They  shoot  out  the  lip,  they  shake  the  head,  saying, 

8.  Commit  thyself  unto  Jehovah;  let  him  deliver  him: 
Let  him  rescue  him,  seeing  he  delighteth  in  him. 

9.  But  thou  art  he  that  took  me  out  of  the  womb; 
Thou  didst   make   me  trust  when  I  was  upon  my 

mother's  breasts. 

10.  I  was  cast  upon  thee  from  the  womb; 
Thou  art  my  God  since  my  mother  bare  me. 

11.  Be  not  far  from  me;  for  trouble  is  near; 
For  there  is  none  to  help. 

12.  Many  bulls  have  compassed  me; 

Strong  bulls  of  Bashan  have  beset  me  round. 


78  PS  AIM  XXII. 

13.  They  gape  upon  me  with  iViCU4  mouth, 
As  a  ravening  and  a  roaring  i.;on. 

14.  I  am  poured  out  like  water, 

And  all  my  bones  are  out  of  joint: 
My  heart  is  like  wax; 
It  is  melted  within  me. 

15.  My  strength  is  dried  up  like  a  potsherd; 
And  my  tongue  cleaveth  to  my  jaws; 

And  thou  hast  brought  me  into  the  dust  of  death. 

16.  For  dogs  have  compassed  me: 

A  company  of  evil-doers  have  inclosed  me; 
They  pierced  my  hands  and  my  feet. 

17.  I  may  count  all  my  bones. 
They  look  and  stare  upon  me; 

18.  They  part  my  garments  among  them, 
And  upon  my  vesture  do  they  cast  lots. 

19.  But  be  not  thou  far  off,  O  Jehovah: 

0  thou  my  succor,  haste  thee  to  help  me. 

20.  Deliver  my  soul  from  the  sword, 

My  darling  from  the  power  of  the  dog. 

21.  Save  me  from  the  lion's  mouth; 

Yea,  from  the  horns  of  the  wild-oxen  thou  hast  an- 
swered me. 

22.  I  will  declare  thy  name  unto  my  brethren: 

In  the  midst  of  the  assembly  will  I  praise  thee. 

23.  Ye  that  fear  Jehovah,  praise  him; 
All  ye  the  seed  of  Jacob,  glorify  him; 

And  stand  in  awe  of  him,  all  ye  the  seed  of  Israel. 

24.  For  he  hath  not  despised  nor  abhorred  the  affliction  of 

the  afflicted; 
Neither  hath  he  hid  his  face  from  him; 
But  when  he  cried  unto  him,  he  heard. 

25.  Of  thee  cometh  my  praise  in  the  great  assembly: 

1  will  pay  my  vows  before  them  that  fear  him. 

26.  The  meek  shall  eat  and  be  satisfied; 

They  shall  praise  Jehovah  that  seek  after  him: 
Let  your  heart  live  for  ever. 

27.  All  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall  remember  and  turn  unto 

Jehovah; 


PSALM   XXII.  79 

And  all  the  kindreds  of  the  nations  shall  worship  before 
thee. 

28.  For  the  kingdom  is  Jehovah's; 
And  he  is  the  ruler  over  the  nations. 

29.  All  the  fat  ones  of  the  earth  shall  eat  and  worship: 
All  they  that  go  down  to  the  dust  shall  bow  before  him, 
Even  he  that  cannot  keep  his  soul  alive. 

30.  A  seed  shall  serve  him; 

It  shall  be  told  of  the  Lord  unto  the  next  generation. 

31.  They  shall  come  and  shall  declare  his  righteousness 
Unto  a  people  that  shall  be  born,  that  he  hath  done  it. 

Psalm  XXII 

General  Subject.     The  State  of  the  Lord's  Passion. 

P.  P. 
4,  5,  6,  9,  10-12.     Prayer  to  the  Father  that  He  be  not  for- 
saken, seeing  that  He  was  more  despised  than  all  others, 
that  He  was  the  Father's  from  conception.  P.  P. 

10.  Since  in  the  Word  natural  generations  signify  spiritual 
generations,  and  these  are  from  the  Lord,  He  is  called  the 
Former,  and  He  that  taketh  from  the  womb.         T.  583. 

10,  11.  Here  also  is  described  the  spiritual  regeneration  of 
man  by  such  things  as  belong  to  natural  generation.  By 
"Thou  art  my  bringer  forth  from  the  womb"  is  signified 
to  be  regenerated  from  the  Lord,  and  made  a  man  of  the 
church.  By  "  Thou  makest  for  me  trust  from  my  mother's 
paps  "  is  signified  the  being  led  afterwards,  and  spiritually 
educated.  The  paps  signify  spiritual  nourishment  in 
such  things  as  appertain  to  the  church,  and  mother  de- 
noting the  church.  By  "  I  have  been  cast  upon  thee  from 
the  womb"  is  signified  that  the  Lord  effected  all  things 
from  the  good  of  love.  "From  the  belly  of  my  mother" 
that  He  effected  all  things  by  truths.  E.  710. 

11.  The  reason  why  the  belly  or  the  bowels  (womb),  sig- 
nify the  interiors  of  the  thought  or  of  the  understanding  is 
because  there  are  two  lives  with  man,  namely,  the  life  of 
the  understanding  and  the  life  of  the  will.     To  those  two 


80  PSALM   XXII. 

11  fountains  of  life  correspond  all  the  things  of  the  body.  .  .  . 
It  is  hence  also  that  the  body  and  the  bowels  are  predicated 
of  thought  which  is  of  the  understanding,  and  the  heart  of 
affection  which  is  of  the  will.  E.  622. 

That  man  is  in  the  Lord  and  the  Lord  in  him,  and  that 
the  Lord  has  His  abode  in  man  if  man  loves  Him,  He 
himself  teaches.  This  abode  the  Lord  prepares  for  him- 
self in  the  womb,  on  which  account  Jehovah,  or  the  Lord, 
in  the  Word  is  called  creator,  former,  and  maker  from  the 
womb.  Wis.  iii. 

11,12.  As  regeneration  and  thence  the  church  are  signified 
by  going  forth  from  the  womb,  therefore  the  Lord  is  called 
in  the  Word  He  that  formeth  from  the  womb,  He  that 
bringeth  forth  from  the  womb,  and  they  who  are  regen- 
erated and  made  a  church  are  said  to  be  carried  from  the 
womb.  A.  4918. 

13-19.  That  those  who  are  of  the  church  where  the  Word 
is  have  condemned  Him  to  death,  that  they  have  crucified 
Him,  that  they  have  divided  His  garments,  or  dissipated 
the  truths  of  His  Word.  P.  P. 

14.  See  Psalm  xvii.  12.  A.  5828. 
See  Psalm  xvii.  12.  R.  241. 
See  Psalm  xvii.  12.  E.  278. 

15,  18,  19.  The  subject  is  the  Lord's  temptations  as  to 
Divine  truth,  which  were  the  Lord's  proprium  and  hence 
are  called  my  bones,  and  as  to  Divine  good  which  was  the 
Lord's  proprium,  and  hence  is  called  my  heart.  The 
numbering  of  bones  is  desiring  to  dissipate  these  truths  by 
reasonings  and  falsities,  therefore  also  it  immediately  fol- 
lows that  they  parted  my  garments  and  cast  lots  upon  my 
vesture,  for  garments  also  signify  truths,  but  exterior. 

A.  3812. 

17,  21.     Dogs  stand  for  those  who  destroy  the  goods  of 

faith,  who  on  that  account  are  called  the  companies  of  the 

malignant.     To  deliver  the  soul  from  the  sword  means 

from  the  false  vastating  the  truth  of  faith.  A.  9231. 


PSALM  XXII.  8 1 

ig.  The  Lord's  garments  represented  truths  in  the  external 
form,  and  His  tunic  truths  in  the  internal  form.  The  di- 
vision of  the  garments  represented  the  dissipation  of  the 
truths  of  faith  by  the  Jews.  A.  9093. 

The  waistcoat  (tunic)  signifies  the  garment  next  to  the 
body.  A.  9942. 

From  the  internal  sense  it  is  evident  that  by  garments 
are  signified  truths,  and  by  the  Lord's  garments  Divine 
truths.  By  casting  lots  and  dividing  is  meant  to  pull 
them  asunder  and  dissipate  them.  A.  9942. 

By  garments  in  the  Word  are  signified  the  truths  which 
clothe  good,  and  in  the  opposite  sense  the  falsities  which 
clothe  evil,  for  a  man  is  either  his  good  or  his  evil.     R.  166. 

That  violence  was  done  to  the  Word  in  the  sense  of  the 
letter,  but  not  to  the  Word  in  the  spiritual  sense  is  also 
signified  by  the  soldiers  dividing  the  garments  of  the  Lord, 
but  not  His  coat.  E.  195. 

Supplication  that  He  may  not  be  forsaken.  P.  P. 

20,  21,  22.     A  church  —  will  come  into  existence  —  from 

this  — that  the  Lord  was  assisted  by  the  Father — .  P.  P. 

22.  Divine  truths  from  their  height  are  called  the  horns  of 
unicorns,  hence  the  horn  is  so  often  said  to  be  exalted,  for 
exaltation  signifies  power  from  the  interior.  A.  2832. 

Since  by  horns  is  signified  truth  in  its  power,  and  in  the 
opposite  sense  the  false  destroying  the  truth,  therefore 
speech  is  attributed  to  a  horn.  A.  101 82. 

By  the  lion  is  here  signified  what  is  false  violently  de- 
stroying truth,  and  by  the  horns  of  the  unicorn  are  signi- 
fied the  truths  which  prevail  against  falsities.  E.  316. 

23.  Since  kings  formerly  represented  the  Lord  as  to  Divine 
truth,  and  the  Divine  truth  received  by  the  angels  in  the 
spiritual  kingdom  of  the  Lord  is  the  same  with  Divine  good 
spiritual,  and  good  spiritual  is  the  good  of  charity,  there- 
fore also  the  kings  appointed  over  the  sons  of  Israel  called 
their  subjects  brethren,  although  it  was  not  lawful,  on  the 
other  hand,  for  the  subjects  to  call  their  king  brother, 


82  PSALM   XXII. 

much  less  is  it  lawful  thus  to  call  the  Lord,  who  is  King  of 
kings,  and  Lord  of  lords.  E.  746. 

24.  Here  to  stand  in  awe  of  Him  means  to  worship  from 
the  truth  of  faith,  for  the  seed  of  Israel  is  the  spiritual  of 
the  church,  or  the  good  and  truth  of  faith.  A.  2826. 

By  fearing  the  Lord's  name  is  signified  to  love  the  things 
which  are  the  Lord's.  By  fearing  is  signified  to  love,  and 
by  the  Lord's  name,  all  things  by  which  He  is  worshipped. 
That  to  fear  here  signifies  to  love,  is  because  every  one 
who  loves  fears  also  to  do  evil  to  him  whom  he  loves. 

R.  527. 

That  to  fear  Jehovah  God  involves  and  thence  signifies 

to  account  Him  holy  and  to  revere  Him,  consequently  to 

worship  Him  with  sanctity  and  reverence.  E.  696. 

24,  25.  By  the  seed  of  Israel  no  other  seed  is  meant  than 
the  spiritual  church.  A.  1025. 

25.  See  Psalm  xiii.  2.  R.  939. 
It  is  said  that  Jehovah,  that  is  the  Lord,  hides  His  face 

on  account  of  iniquities,  .  .  .  when  nevertheless  He  never 
hides  nor  withdraws  His  Divine  good  and  Divine  truth, 
which  are  signified  by  His  face.  E.  412. 

And  He  endured  —  the  temptation  —  by  power  of  His 
Divine.  P.  P. 

27-32.  Through  this  there  will  be  a  church  that  will  be 
gathered  together  from  all  parts,  and  it  will  worship  Him. 

P.  P. 

28,  29.     In  the  Jewish  church,  and  in  the  Word  the  Lord 

and  His  Kingdom  were  represented,  and  consequently 

the  celestial  things  of  love  and  the  spiritual  things  of  faith, 

and  also  the  many  things  which  pertain  thereto  such  as 

all  things  which  are  of  the  church.  A.  1361. 

See  Psalm  xcvi.  7.  A.  1261. 

People  signify  those  who  are  of  the  spiritual  church,  and 

nations  those  who  are  of  the  celestial  church.  E.  331. 

30.     Dust  signifies  that  which  was  condemned  and  infernal. 

These  passages  —  also  Psalm  civ.  29  —  mean,  that  when 


PSALM  XXIII.  83 

they  turn  themselves  away  from  the  face  of  the  Lord 
they  expire  or  die,  and  so  return  to  the  dust,  that  is,  be- 
come damned  and  infernal.  A.  278. 
31.  Seed  stands  for  those  who  are  regenerated,  thus  those 
who  are  of  the  church  and  in  whom  the  church  is,  thus  in 
the  sense  abstract  from  persons,  those  things  which  make 
a  regenerate  person,  or  which  make  the  church  with  man, 
which  are  faith  and  charity  from  the  Lord.         A.  10249. 

See  Psalm  xxi.  n.  R.  565. 

By  the  seed  which  shall  serve  Him  are  meant  those  who 
are  in  truths  of  doctrine  from  the  Word.  By:  it  shall  be 
numbered  to  the  Lord  for  a  generation,  is  signified  that 
they  shall  be  His  to  eternity.  To  be  numbered  means  to 
be  arranged  and  disposed  in  order,  in  the  present  case  to 
be  numbered  together. or  added,  thus  to  be  His.      E.  768. 


PSALM  XXIII. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 


1.  Jehovah  is  my  shepherd;  I  shall  not  want. 

2.  He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  pastures; 
He  leadeth  me  beside  still  waters. 

3.  He  restoreth  my  soul: 

He  guideth  me  in  the  paths  of  righteousness  for  his 
name's  sake. 

4.  Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 

death, 
I  will  fear  no  evil;  for  thou  art  with  me; 
Thy  rod  and  thy  staff,  they  comfort  me. 

5.  Thou  preparest  a  table  before  me  in  the  presence  of 

mine  enemies: 
Thou  hast  anointed  my  head  with  oil; 
My  cup  runneth  over. 

6.  Surely  goodness  and  lovingkindness  shall  follow  me  all 

the  days  of  my  life; 
And  I  shall  dwell  in  the  house  of  Jehovah  for  ever. 


84  PSALM   XXIII. 


Psalm  XXIII. 

General  Subject.     Concerning  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

I,  2.     Spiritual  food  is  called  herbage.  A.  57. 

When  instruction  or  doctrine  from  the  Word  is  spoken 
of  in  heaven,  then  in  the  world  of  spirits,  where  spiritual 
things  appear  naturally,  are  represented  to  the  sight 
meadows  green  with  grass,  herbage  and  flowers  with 
flocks  therein.     Feeding  meaning  to  be  instructed. 

A.  5201. 

To  feed  is  to  teach,  because  the  church  is  called  in  the 
Word  the  flock,  and  the  men  of  the  church  are  called 
sheep  and  lambs.  Hence  to  feed,  signifies  to  teach,  and 
the  shepherd  him  that  teaches.  R.  383. 

By  waters  in  the  Word  are  signified  the  truths  of  faith, 
likewise  the  knowledges  of  truth.  E.  71. 

It  is  known  in  the  church  that  to  feed  signifies  to  in- 
struct, the  pasture  signifies  instruction,  and  a  pastor  or 
shepherd  an  instructor.  E.  482. 

1-3.  Pasture  stands  for  the  truths  in  which  man  is  in- 
structed, and  here  for  such  things  as  relate  to  spiritual  life, 
for  spiritual  life  is  such  that  if  that  pasture  fails  it  lan- 
guishes, and  as  it  were  pines  away,  as  does  the  body  when 
it  lacks  food.  A.  6078. 

Concerning  the  Lord.  He  teaches  and  leads  to  the 
truths  and  goods  of  heaven  and  the  church.  P.  P. 

I,  2,  5.  These  words  in  the  internal  sense  signify  that  he 
who  confides  in  the  Lord  is  led  into  all  the  goods  and 
truths  of  heaven,  and  abounds  in  the  delights  thereof. 
By  "the  Lord  is  my  shepherd"  is  understood  the  Lord. 
By  green  pastures  are  signified  the  knowledges  of  truth 
and  good,  by  the  still  waters  are  signified  the  truths  of 
heaven  thence  derived,  by  table  is  signified  spiritual  nour- 
ishment, by  anointing  the  head  with  oil  is  signified  wis- 
dom derived  from  good,  by  my  cup  runneth  over  is  sig- 


PSALM   XXIII.  85 

nified  intelligence  from  truths,  the  cup  signifying  here  the 
same  as  wine.  E.  375. 

2.  Green  pastures  or  pastures  of  herbage  stand  for  spir- 
itual nourishment  which  is  of  the  soul,  wherefore  it  is 
said,  He  will  restore  my  soul.  A.  7571. 

Waters  signify  truths,  and  in  particular  natural  truths, 
which  are  knowledges  from  the  Word.  R.  50. 

2,  3.  A  state  of  peace  and  tranquillity  is  signified  by  lying 
down.  A.  3696. 

4.  The  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  stands  for  lower 
things  which  are  relatively  in  shade.  As  valleys  were  be- 
tween mountains  and  hills,  and  below  them,  therefore  by 
valleys  are  signified  the  lower  or  exterior  things  of  the 
church,  because  by  hills  and  mountains  are  signified  its 
higher  or  interior  things,  by  hills  things  of  charity  and  by 
mountains  those  which  are  of  love  to  the  Lord.  A.  4715. 
Thy  rod  and  thy  staff  stand  for  the  Divine  truth  and 
good  which  have  power.  A.  4876. 

4,  5.  Sceptre  and  staff  are  also  the  same  word  in  the  He- 
brew language.     That  a  staff  signifies  power  is  manifest. 

R.  485. 
To  walk  in  a  shady  valley  signifies  obscurity  of  the 
understanding,  in  which  truths  do  not  appear  in  then- 
light.  Thy  rod  and  thy  staff  shall  console  me  signifies 
that  Divine  truth  spiritual,  together  with  Divine  truth 
natural  shall  protect,  because  power  is  in  them.  The  rod 
is  Divine  truth  spiritual,  the  staff  Divine  truth  natural, 
both  together  relate  to  the  power  of  protecting,  for  to  con- 
sole is  to  protect.  The  meaning  of  verse  5  is  spiritual 
nourishment  by  Divine  truth.  By  setting  a  table  is  sig- 
nified to  be  spiritually  nourished.  By  making  fat  the 
head  with  oil  is  signified  by  the  good  of  love.  By  the  cup 
is  signified  by  the  truth  of  doctrine  from  the  Word. 

E.  727. 

4-6.  By  a  table  is  signified  a  receptacle  of  things  celestial, 
thus  heaven  as  to  the  reception  of  such  things  as  are  from 
the  Lord.  A.  9527. 


86  PSALM   XXIII. 

5.  Preparing  a  table  and  anointing  the  head  with  oil  stands 
for  being  gifted  with  the  good  of  charity  and  love.  My 
cup  runneth  over  means  that  the  natural  is  thence  filled 
with  spiritual  truth  and  good.  A.  5120. 

To  make  the  head  fat  with  oil  means  to  gift  with  celes- 
tial good.  A.  9780. 

It  is  evident  that  it  was  an  acknowledged  custom  to 
anoint  themselves  and  others  with  oil,  see  Psalm  xlv.  7, 
xcii.  10:  Ezekiel  xvi.  9  etc.,  not  with  the  oil  of  holiness, 
w7ith  which  the  priests,  the  kings,  the  altar,  and  the  taber- 
nacle were  anointed,  but  with  common  oil,  because  this 
oil  signified  the  gladness  and  satisfaction  arising  from  the 
love  of  good.  A.  9954. 

See  Psalm  xi.  6.  R.  672. 

Cup  stands  in  these  passages  for  Divine  truth.  On 
account  of  this  signification  it  is  also  called  the  cup  of 
salvation  in  Psalm  cxvi.    13.  E.  960. 

Hence  there  will  be  no  fear  of  the  hells,  for  He  guards, 
and  imparts  good  and  truth  in  abundance.  P.  P. 

6.  In  heaven  with  the  Lord  to  eternity.  P.  P. 

See  Psalm  xxi.  5.  A.  650. 

That  dwelling  is  being  and  living,  thus  a  state,  is  evi- 
dent from  many  passages  in  the  Word.  See  also  Psalm 
xxvii.  4,  and  Psalm  ci.  7.  Dwelling  in  the  house  of  Je- 
hovah means  being  and  living  in  the  good  of  love,  for  this 
is  the  house  of  Jehovah.  A.  3384. 

Heaven  and  the  church  are  understood  by  the  house  of 
Jehovah.  E.  220. 

That  to  dwell  signifies  to  live,  consequently  life,  may 
appear  from  the  passages  in  the  Word  where  dwelling  is 
mentioned  as  in  Isaiah  xi.  6;  xiii.  20:  Jeremiah  ii.  6,  etc. 

E.  662. 


PSALM   XXIV.  87 

PSALM  XXIV. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 

1.  The  earth  is  Jehovah's,  and  the  fulness  thereof; 
The  world,  and  they  that  dwell  therein. 

2.  For  he  hath  founded  it  upon  the  seas, 
And  established  it  upon  the  floods. 

3.  Who  shall  ascend  into  the  hill  of  Jehovah? 
And  who  shall  stand  in  his  holy  place  ? 

4.  He  that  hath  clean  hands,  and  a  pure  heart; 
Who  hath  not  lifted  up  his  soul  unto  falsehood, 
And  hath  not  sworn  deceitfully. 

5.  He  shall  receive  a  blessing  from  Jehovah, 

And  righteousness  from  the  God  of  his  salvation. 

6.  This  is  the  generation  of  them  that  seek  after  him, 
That  seek  thy  face,  even  Jacob.  [Selah 

7.  Lift  up  your  heads,  O  ye  gates; 

And  be  ye  lifted  up,  ye  everlasting  doors: 
And  the  King  of  glory  will  come  in. 

8.  WTho  is  the  King  of  glory? 
Jehovah  strong  and  mighty, 
Jehovah  mighty  in  battle. 

9.  Lift  up  your  heads,  O  ye  gates; 

Yea,  lift  them  up,  ye  everlasting  doors: 
And  the  King  of  glory  will  come  in. 
10.     Who  is  this  King  of  glory? 
Jehovah  of  hosts, 

He  is  the  King  of  glory.  [Selah 

t 

Psalm  XXIV. 

1,  2.  The  fulness  stands  for  truth  and  good,  the  earth  for 
the  church  in  a  specific,  and  the  world  for  the  church  in  a 
universal  sense.  That  Jehovah  founded  the  world  upon 
the  seas  is  upon  what  is  of  knowledge.  That  He  estab- 
lished it  upon  the  floods  is  upon  what  is  of  intelligence. 

A.  6297. 


88  PSALM  XXIV. 

1  The  earth  and  the  orb  (world)  stand  for  the  church. 
The  seas  upon  which  He  has  founded  the  orb  are  scien- 
tific truths.  The  rivers  upon  which  He  has  established 
it  are  the  truths  of  faith.  A.  9755. 

See  Psalm  ix.  9.  R.  551. 

The  earth  and  the  world  stand  for  the  church,  and  the 
fulness  thereof  for  all  things  pertaining  to  it.  The  seas 
upon  which  He  has  founded  it  are  the  knowledges  of  truth 
in  common.  The  floods  or  flowing  streams  stand  for 
doctrinals,  and  the  church  is  founded  upon  both.  E.  304. 
By  the  earth  here  also  is  signified  the  church  as  to  truth, 
and  the  fulness  thereof  signifies  all  truth?  in  the  complex. 
By  the  world  is  signified  the  church  as  to  pood,  and  by  the 
inhabitants  thereof  goods  in  the  complex.  E.  741. 

1-3.  Respecting  the  church  which  is  from  the  Lord  through 
the  Word.  P.  P. 

2.     That  the  earth  is  founded  upon  the  sea  means  that  the 
church,  which  is  meant  by  the  earth,  is  founded  upon  gen- 
eral truths,  for  these  are  its  basis  and  foundations.      R.  238. 
Rivers  signify  truths  in  abundance,  R.  409. 

See  Psalm  xi.  2,  3.  R.  902. 

By  the  earth  is  signified  the  church,  by  the  seas  the 
knowledges  in  common  which  are  in  the  natural  man,  by 
the  floods  the  truths  of  faith.  Upon  these  the  church  is 
founded.  E.  275. 

By  the  earth  is  signified  heaven  and  the  church  in  the 
grand  aggregate,  by  the  seas  are  signified  knowledges  and 
sciences  which  are  the  ultimates  of  the  church,  and  speci- 
fically the  knowledges  of  truth  and  good,  such  as  are  in 
the  literal  sense  of  the  Word  rationally  understood. 

E.  518. 

2,  3.     See  Psalm  xviii.  8,  16.  R.  589. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  8,  16.  E.  1057. 

4.         See  Psalm  v.  7.  R.  624. 

From  these  passages  it  may  be  seen  that  to  the  ancients, 

who  were  in  the  representatives  and  significative s  of  the 


PSALM  XXIV.  89 

church,  it  was  permitted  to  swear  by  Jehovah  God,  in 
order  to  testify  verity.  Thereby  was  signified  that  they 
thought  what  was  true,  and  willed  what  was  good.  But 
it  was  more  especially  granted  to  the  sons  of  Jacob,  since 
they  were  altogether  natural  and  external  men,  and  not 
internal  and  spiritual,  and  mere  external  or  natural  men 
are  desirous  of  having  the  truth  of  a  thing  attested  and 
confirmed  by  oath,  whilst  internal  or  spiritual  men  are 
unwilling,  yea  are  averse  to  oaths,  and  account  them  hor- 
rible, especially  those  where  God  is  appealed  to,  and  the 
holy  things  of  heaven  and  the  church,  and  are  contented 
with  saying,  and  with  having  it  said  that  a  thing  is  so,  or 
that  it  is  true.  E.  608. 

See  Psalm  xvi.  10.  E.  750. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  1.  E.  866. 

4,  5.  He  that  has  clean  hands  signifies  those  who  are  in 
truths  from  faith,  and  by  a  pure  heart  are  understood  those 
who  are  in  good  from  love.  Concerning  such  it  is  said 
that  they  shall  receive  the  blessings  from  Jehovah,  and 
righteousness  from  the  God  of  salvation,  and  by  these  are 
signified  the  reception  of  Divine  truth  and  Divine  good. 

E.  340. 
4-6.     Those  who  are  not  in  falsities  and  evils  will  be  in  it. 

P.  P. 

5.  Verse  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  63. 

6.  See  Psalm  xiv.  7.  A.  4281. 

7,  8.  The  Lord's  combats  are  treated  of.  This  also  is 
concerning  the  Lord.  L.  33. 

7-9.  It  is  manifest  that  the  gate  of  heaven  is  where  angels 
are  with  man,  that  is  where  there  is  influx  of  good  and 
truth  from  the  Lord,  and  thus  there  are  two  gates.  See 
Matthew  vii.  13-14.  A.  2851. 

7-10.     Since  Divine  truth  is  represented  by  royalty  in  the 

Word,  the  Lord  as  to  the  Divine  truth  being  represented 

by  kings,  therefore  to  the  Divine  truth  as  to  a  king  is 

attributed  glory.  A.  5922. 

The  Lord  is  here  called  the  King  of  glory  from  the 


90  PSALM   XXIV. 

7  Divine  truth  from  which  He  fought,  conquered,  and  sub- 
dued the  hells.  A.  10053. 

Gates  in  the  good  sense  stand  for  an  opening  into 
heaven.  By  gates  in  the  Word  is  signified  an  entrance 
into  heaven  and  into  the  church  by  good  and  truth,  and 
also  the  influx  of  truth  and  good  with  man.      A.  10483. 

That  the  Lord  is  Jehovah,  that  is  that  Jehovah  is  the 
Lord  is  also  manifest.  L.  38. 

That  the  Lord  is  called  King  is  manifest.  R.  664. 

They  will  receive  the  Lord  who  has  conquered  the  hells 
and  glorified  His  Human.  P.  P. 

Verses  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  58. 

7,  9.  The  doors  of  the  world  being  lifted  up  stands  for  the 
opening  and  elevation  of  hearts  to  the  Lord,  who  is  the 
King  of  glory,  and  thereby  giving  communication,  that  is, 
that  He  may  flow  in  with  good  of  charity,  and  with  truth 
of  faith.  The  Lord  is  called  the  King  of  glory  from  truth 
which  is  from  good.  A.  8989. 

Since  there  are  both  ways  and  doors  in  the  spiritual 
world,  and  angelic  spirits  actually  go  in  the  ways  and  enter 
through  the  doors  when  they  enter  heaven,  therefore  door, 
gates,  and  portals  are  often  mentioned  in  the  Word,  and 
by  them  entrance  is  signified.  R.  176. 

See  Psalm  ix.  15.  R.  899. 

See  Psalm  ix.  15.  E.  208. 

8.  By  wars  in  the  Word  spiritual  wars  are  signified,  which 
are  fightings  against  the  truth,  and  are  carried  on  by  rea- 
sonings from  falsities.  R.  500. 

8,  10.  In  the  Word  where  mention  is  made  of  war  is  meant 
in  the  internal  sense  spiritual  war,  which  is  against  falsities 
and  evils,  or  what  is  the  same  thing,  which  is  against  the 
devil,  that  is  the  hells.  A.  8273. 

Since  the  Lord  alone  conquered  the  hells  without  the 
aid  of  any  angel,  therefore  He  is  called:  The  King  of 
glory,  Jehovah  strong  and  mighty,  the  mighty  in  battle. 

L.  14. 
The  foregoing  statement  repeated  in  T.  116. 


PSALM   XXV.  91 

PSALM  XXV. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     Unto  thee,  0  Jehovah,  do  I  lift  up  my  soul. 

2.  O  my  God,  in  thee  have  I  trusted, 
Let  me  not  be  put  to  shame; 

Let  not  mine  enemies  triumph  over  me. 

3.  Yea,  none  that  wait  for  thee  shall  be  put  to  shame: 
They  shall  be  put  to  shame  that  deal  treacherously 

without  cause. 

4.  Show  me  thy  ways,  O  Jehovah; 
Teach  me  thy  paths. 

5.  Guide  me  in  thy  truth,  and  teach  me; 
For  thou  art  the  God  of  my  salvation; 
For  thee  do  I  wait  all  the  day. 

6.  Remember,   O  Jehovah,  thy  tender  mercies  and  thy 

lovingkindnesses ; 
For  they  have  been  ever  of  old. 

7.  Remember  not  the  sins  of  my  youth,  nor  my  trans- 

gressions : 
According  to  thy  lovingkindness  remember  thou  me, 
For  thy  goodness'  sake,  O  Jehovah. 

8.  Good  and  upright  is  Jehovah: 

Therefore  will  he  instruct  sinners  in  the  way. 

9.  The  meek  will  he  guide  in  justice; 
And  the  meek  will  he  teach  his  way. 

10.  All  the  paths  of  Jehovah  are  lovingkindness  and  truth 
Unto  such  as  keep  his  covenant  and  his  testimonies. 

1 1 .  For  thy  name's  sake,  O  Jehovah, 
Pardon  mine  iniquity,  for  it  is  great. 

12.  What  man  is  he  that  feareth  Jehovah? 

Him  shall  he  instruct  in  the  way  that  he  shall  choose. 

13.  His  soul  shall  dwell  at  ease; 

And  his  seed  shall  inherit  the  land. 

14.  The  friendship  of  Jehovah  is  with  them  that  fear  him; 
And  he  will  show  them  his  covenant. 

15.  Mine  eyes  are  ever  toward  Jehovah; 
For  he  will  pluck  my  feet  out  of  the  net. 


Q2  PSALM   XXV. 

1 6.  Turn  thee  unto  me,  and  have  mercy  upon  me; 
For  I  am  desolate  and  afflicted. 

17.  The  troubles  of  my  heart  are  enlarged: 
Oh  bring  thou  me  out  of  my  distresses. 

18.  Consider  mine  affliction  and  my  travail; 
And  forgive  all  my  sins. 

19.  Consider  mine  enemies,  for  they  are  many; 
And  they  hate  me  with  cruel  hatred. 

20.  Oh  keep  my  soul,  and  deliver  me: 

Let  me  not  be  put  to  shame,  for  I  take  refuge  in  thee. 

21.  Let  integrity  and  uprightness  preserve  me, 
For  I  wait  for  thee. 

22.  Redeem  Israel,  O  God, 
Out  of  all  his  troubles. 


Psalm  XXV. 

1-3.     Prayers  of  the  church  to  the  Lord,  that  they  may  be 

protected  from  the  hells.  P.  P. 

4-6.     That  they  may  be  taught  truths.  P.  P. 

4,  5.     Here  also  a  way  manifestly  stands  for  truth.   A.  627. 

Thus  instead  of  a  way  angels  perceive  truths,  and  this 

as  well  in  the  historic  as  in  the  prophetic  parts  of  the  Word. 

A.  2333. 
In  these  passages  by  a  way  is  signified  truth,  and  in  the 
opposite  sense  false.  A.  10422. 

6,  7.  Sins  stand  for  evils  derived  from  a  depraved  will,  and 
transgressions  for  evils  derived  from  a  perverse  under- 
standing. A.  9156. 
Every  one  may  know  that  recollection  or  remembrance 
cannot  be  predicated  of  the  Lord,  since  things  past  and 
future  in  Him  are  eternal,  that  is  are  present  from  eter- 
nity to  eternity.  To  remember  when  concerning  the  Lord 
stands  for  to  have  compassion,  and  thus  to  preserve  or 
deliver  from  a  principle  of  mercy.  A.  9849. 
7-1 1.     That  their  sins  may  be  forgiven  from  mercy.     P.  P. 


PSALM   XXV.  93 

io.    See  Psalm  xix.  8.  A.  4197. 

Because  the  good  of  love  and  the  truth  of  faith  are  in 

the  closest  conjunction,  and  the  one  is  not  given  without 

the  other,  therefore  this  form  of  speaking  was  usual  among 

the  ancients,  because  it  was  known  to  them  that  the  good 

of  love  was  inseparable  from  the  truth  of  faith,  for  this 

reason  also  these  two  are  often  spoken  of  conjointly  in 

the  Word.  A.  6180. 

The  compact  of  a  covenant  on  the  part  of  the  Lord  is 

mercy  and  election.  A.  6804. 

Since  by  a  covenant  is  signified  conjunction,  and  since 

by  the  Divine  truth  proceeding  from  the  Lord  —  that  is 

the  Word  —  is  effected  conjunction,  therefore  all  things 

which  are  of  the  Divine  truth  from  the  Lord  or  which  are 

of  the  Word,  are  called  a  covenant.  A.  9396. 

See  Psalm  xix.  8-10.  E.  392. 

12.  The  man  that  feareth  Jehovah  stands  for  him  who 
worships  Him,  and  that  this  is  said  of  the  spiritual  man  is 
manifest.  A.  2826. 

12,  13.     See  Psalm  xvi.  10.  E.  750. 

12-14.     Thus  they  will  have  good  and  conjunction.     P.  P. 

15-20.  Prayer  of  the  church  to  the  Lord,  and  in  the  highest 
sense  of  the  Lord  to  the  Father,  that,  because  He  alone 
fights,  He  may  assist  against  the  hells.  P.  P. 

21.     For  perfection  is  His,  P.  P. 

21.  An  upright  man  is  one  who  is  true  from  good,  or  who 
speaks  and  does  truth  from  charity.  A.  612. 

By  entire  or  integrity  in  the  internal  sense  of  the  Word 
is  signified  Divine  truth  in  effect,  which  is  a  life  according 
to  the  Divine  precepts.  .  A.  9905. 

22.  And  thus  there  is  redemption.  P.  P. 
To  redeem  Israel  from  his  troubles  signifies  to  liberate 

those  who  are  of  the  church  from  falsities  which  bring 
trouble.  E.  328. 


94  PSALM   XXVI. 

PSALM  XXVI. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     Judge  me,  0  Jehovah,  for  I  have  walked  in  mine 
integrity : 

I  have  trusted  also  in  Jehovah  without  wavering. 

Examine  me,  O  Jehovah,  and  prove  me; 

Try  my  heart  and  my  mind. 

For  thy  lovingkindness  is  before  mine  eyes; 

And  I  have  walked  in  thy  truth. 

I  have  not  sat  with  men  of  falsehood; 

Neither  will  I  go  in  with  dissemblers. 

I  hate  the  assembly  of  evil-doers, 

And  will  not  sit  with  the  wicked. 

I  will  wash  my  hands  in  innocency: 

So  will  I  compass  thine  altar,  O  Jehovah; 

That  I  may  make  the  voice  of  thanksgiving  to  be  heard, 

And  tell  of  all  thy  wondrous  works. 

Jehovah,  I  love  the  habitation  of  thy  house, 

And  the  place  where  thy  glory  dwelleth. 

Gather  not  my  soul  with  sinners, 

Nor  my  life  with  men  of  blood; 
10.     In  whose  hands  is  wickedness, 

And  their  right  hand  is  full  of  bribes. 
ii.     But  as  for  me,  I  will  walk  in  mine  integrity: 

Redeem  me,  and  be  merciful  unto  me. 
12.     My  foot  standeth  in  an  even  place: 

In  the  congregations  will  I  bless  Jehovah. 


Psalm  XXVI. 

-6,  ii.     To  the  Lord  belong  perfection,  purity,  and  inno- 
cence. P.  P. 

See  Psalm  vii.  io.  A.  5385. 

See  Psalm  vii.  10.  A.  10032. 

See  Psalm  vii.  10.  R.  14°- 

See  Psalm  vii.  10.  E.  167. 


PSALM  XXVI.  95 

3.  See  Psalm  xxv.  10.  A.  6180. 

4.  Mercy  is  love,  and  truth  is  faith.  A.  10577. 
See  Psalm  i.  1.  E.  687. 

6.  Innocent  in  the  proximate  sense  signifies  one  who  is 
without  blame  and  without  evil,  which  they  also  testified 
formerly  by  washing  of  the  hands,  the  reason  whereof  was 
this,  that  the  good  which  is  from  the  Lord  with  man  is 
without  blame  and  without  evil.  A.  9262. 

6,  7.  Since  by  the  altar  was  represented  the  Lord  as  to  Di- 
vine good,  therefore  it  was  the  very  holy  of  holies,  and 
sanctified  every  thing  which  touched  it  —  See  Exodus 
xxix.  37.  A.  9714. 

Since  the  worship  of  the  Lord  was  represented  and 
thence  signified  by  the  altar,  it  is  manifest  that  nothing 
else  is  meant  by  the  altar  in  Revelation  vi.  9.  and  else- 
where. R.  392. 

To  wash  the  hands  in  innocency  signifies  to  be  purified 
from  evils  and  falsities.  To  compass  the  altar  of  Jehovah 
signifies  conjunction  with  the  Lord  by  worship  from  the 
good  of  love,  which  worship  being  performed  by  truths 
from  good,  it  is  therefore  added  —  see  verse  7.       E.  391. 

7,  8.     He  has  the  Divine  love  of  saving.  P.  P. 

8,  Since  habitation  signifies  heaven  where  the  Lord  is,  it 
also  signifies  the  good  of  love  and  of  faith,  for  these  con- 
stitute heaven.  Habitation  in  the  supreme  sense  signifies 
the  Lord.  A.  9481. 

9,  10.     He  is  in  combats  with  the  malicious.  P.  P 

10,  11.  In  this  passage  to  redeem  signifies  to  liberate  from 
falsities,  and  to  reform.  E.  328. 

11,  Redeem  me  and  be  merciful  unto  me. 

D.  P.,  Page  86. 
11,  12.     There  is  redemption  when  He  conquers.         P.  P. 


96  .  PSALM   XXVII. 


PSALM  XXVII. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     Jehovah  is  my  light  and  my  salvation; 
Whom  shall  I  fear? 
Jehovah  is  the  strength  of  my  life; 
Of  whom  shall  I  be  afraid  ? 

2.  When  evil-doers  came  upon  me  to  eat  up  my  flesh, 
Even  mine  adversaries  and  my  foes,  they  stumbled  and 

fell. 

3.  Though  a  host  should  encamp  against  me, 
My  heart  shall  not  fear: 

Though  war  should  rise  against  me, 
Even  then  will  I  be  confident. 

4.  One  thing  have  I  asked  of  Jehovah,  that  will  I  seek 

after: 
That  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of  Jehovah  all  the  days 

of  my  life, 
To  behold  the  beauty  of  Jehovah, 
And  to  inquire  in  his  temple. 

5.  For  in  the  day  of  trouble  he  will  keep  me  secretly  in 

his  pavilion: 
In  the  covert  of  his  tabernacle  will  he  hide  me; 
He  will  lift  me  up  upon  a  rock.  - 

6.  And  now  shall  my  head  be  lifted  up  above  mine  enemies 

round  about  me; 
And  I  will  offer  in  his  tabernacle  sacrifices  of  joy; 
I  will  sing,  yea,  I  will  sing  praises  unto  Jehovah. 

7.  Hear,  O  Jehovah,  when  I  cry  with  my  voice: 
Have  mercy  also  upon  me,  and  answer  me. 

8.  When  thou  saidst,  Seek  ye  my  face;  my  heart  said  unto 

thee, 
Thy  face,  Jehovah,  will  I  seek. 

9.  Hide  not  thy  face  from  me; 

Put  not  thy  servant  away  in  anger: 
Thou  hast  been  my  help; 

Cast  me  not  off,  neither  forsake  me,  O  God  of  my 
salvation. 


PSALM  XXVII.  97 

io.     When  my  father  and  my  mother  forsake  me, 

Then  Jehovah  will  take  me  up. 
ii.     Teach  me  thy  way,  O  Jehovah; 

And  lead  me  in  a  plain  path, 

Because  of  mine  enemies. 

12.  Deliver  me  not  over  unto  the  will  of  mine  adversaries: 
For  false  witnesses  are  risen  up  against  me, 

And  such  as  breathe  out  cruelty. 

13.  /  had  fainted,  unless  I  had  believed  to  see  the  goodness 

of  Jehovah 
In  the  land  of  the  living. 

14.  Wait  for  Jehovah: 

Be  strong,  and  let  thy  heart  take  courage; 
Yea,  wait  thou  for  Jehovah. 


Psalm  XXVII. 

1-3.  What  the  Lord  says  to  the  Father:  He  does  not  fear 
the  hells  which  fight  against  Him.  P.  P. 

3.  The  camp  of  the  saints  —  Revelation  xx.  9  —  stands  for 
the  heaven,  or  kingdom  of  the  Lord  on  earth,  which  is  the 
church.  As  most  things  in  the  Word  have  also  an  oppo- 
site sense  so  likewise  has  a  camp,  which  then  signifies  evils 
and  falsities,  and  accordingly  hell.  A.  4236. 

By  wars  in  the  Word  spiritual  wars  are  signified. 

R.  500. 

By  an  army  in  the  Word  the  truths  and  goods  of  the 
church,  and  also  its  falsities  and  evils  are  signified,  hence 
also  by  a  camp.  R.  862. 

4.  See  Psalm  xxiii.  6.  A.  3384. 
See  Psalm  xxiii.  6.  E.  220. 
See  Psalm  xxiii.  6.  E.  662. 

4,  5.     See  Psalm  xv.  1,  2.  R.  585. 

Here  mention  is  made  of  the  house  of  Jehovah,  a  temple, 

a  tent,  and  a  tabernacle.     By  the  house  of  Jehovah  is 

signified  the  church  which  is  in  the  good  of  love  to  the 

Lord,  by  temple  the  church  which  is  in  truths  from  that 


98  PSALM   XXVII. 

4  good,  by  the  tent  of  Jehovah  is  signified  Divine  truth,  and 
by  the  tabernacle  Divine  good.  Hence  it  is  evident  that 
by  dwelling  in  the  house  of  Jehovah  all  the  days  of  the  life, 
is  not  meant  to  dwell  in  the  house  of  Jehovah,  but  in  the 
good  of  love  to  the  Lord.  By  visiting  in  the  morning  the 
temple  of  Jehovah  is  meant  to  inquire  into  and  learn  the 
truths  of  that  good.  By  hiding  in  the  tent  is  signified  to 
hold  in  Divine  truth  and  to  protect  from  falses.  By  con- 
cealing in  the  secret  of  the  tabernacle  is  signified  to  hold 
the  Divine  good  and  to  protect  from  evils.  By  exalting 
upon  a  rock  is  signified  to  instruct  in  interior  truths. 

E.  799. 

4-6.  In  the  highest  sense  the  Lord  as  to  His  Human  Es- 
sence is  the  tent,  the  tabernacle,  and  the  temple.    A.  414. 

4-10,  13,  14.     His  union  with  the  Father.  P.  P. 

6.  By  a  tent  is  expressed  what  is  celestial,  by  shouting, 
singing,  and  singing  praises,  what  is  spiritual  therefrom. 

A.  420. 

8.         See  Psalm  iv.  7.  A.  10579. 

See  Psalm  iv.  7.  R.  939. 

See  Psalm  iv.  7.  E.  412. 

8.  9.     See  Psalm  xiii.  2.  A.  5585. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  15.  .  A.  5585. 

By  seeing  the  face  of  the  Lord  is  not  meant  to  see  His 
face,  but  to  know  and  acknowledge  Him  as  He  is  with  re- 
gard to  His  Divine  attributes  which  are  many.  They 
who  are  conjoined  with  Him  by  love  know  Him  and  thus 
see  His  face.  R.  939. 

The  interior  things  of  the  church,  of  the  Word,  and  of 
worship  are  signified  by  seeing,  seeking,  and  beseeching 
the  face  of  Jehovah.  E.  412. 

9.  Since  the  Lord  as  to  Divine  truth  is  understood  by 
David,  therefore  by  servant  in  all  such  passages  is  under- 
stood in  the  spiritual  sense  one  who  is  subservient.  David 
frequently  calls  himself  the  servant  of  Jehovah.        E.  409. 

10.  Father  and  mother  stand  for  good  and  truth,  which  are 


PSALM  XXVII.  99 

said  to  have  forsaken  when  man  observes  that  of  himself 
he  is  not  able  to  do  anything  good,  or  to  know  anything 
true.  A.  3703. 

11,  12.     Whereby  He  will  subjugate  the  hells.  P.  P. 

12.  "Deliver  me  not  to  the  soul  of  my  enemies"  the  soul 
signifies  the  life  of  the  spirit  of  the  man.  E.  750. 

12,  13.     See  Psalm  iii.  2,  3.  A.  10481. 

See  Psalm  iii.  2,  3.  E.  671. 

13.  There  can  be  only  one  life,  from  which  is  the  life  of  all, 
and  there  can  be  no  life  —  which  is  life  —  except  through 
faith  in  the  Lord,  who  is  life,  nor  can  there  be  faith  in 
which  is  life  except  from  Him,  thus  in  which  He  is. 

A.  290. 

Here  and  in  other  passages  lives  are  spoken  of  in  the 
plural,  because  there  are  two  faculties  in  man,  one  which  is 
called  understanding  and  is  of  truth,  and  the  other  which 
is  called  will  and  is  of  good.  These  two  lives  or  faculties 
of  life  make  one  when  the  understanding  is  of  the  will,  or 
what  is  the  same  when  truth  is  of  good.  A.  3623. 

Making  alive,  quickening,  and  life  manifestly  mean 
spiritual  life,  or  life  in  heaven,  which  is  also  simply  called 
life.  A.  5890. 

The  reason  why  the  church  is  signified  by  the  earth  is, 
because  by  earth  or  land  the  land  of  Canaan  is  often 
meant,  in  which  was  the  church,  the  heavenly  Canaan  is 
nothing  else.  R.  285. 

Heaven  is  called  the  land  of  the  living.  E.  186. 

Since  the  earth  signifies  the  church,  and  where  the  earth 
is  there  is  heaven,  it  is  therefore  called  the  earth  or  land 
of  the  living,  and  the  land  of  life.  See  also  Isaiah  xxxviii. 
11,  and  Ezekiel  xxxii.  23-27.  E.  304. 


IOO  PSALM   XXVIII. 

PSALM  XXVIII. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     Unto  thee,  O  Jehovah,  will  I  call: 
My  rock,  be  not  thou  deaf  unto  me; 
Lest,  if  thou  be  silent  unto  me, 
I  become  like  them  that  go  down  into  the  pit. 

2.  Hear  the  voice  of  my  supplications,  when  I  cry  unto 

thee, 
When  I  lift  up  my  hands  toward  thy  holy  oracle. 

3.  Draw  me  not  away  with  the  wicked, 
And  with  the  workers  of  iniquity; 
That  speak  peace  with  their  neighbors, 
But  mischief  is  in  their  hearts. 

4.  Give  them  according  to  their  work,  and  according  to 

the  wickedness  of  their  doings: 
Give  them  after  the  operation  of  their  hands; 
Render  to  them  their  desert. 

5.  Because  they  regard  not  the  works  of  Jehovah, 
Nor  the  operation  of  his  hands, 

He  will  break  them  down  and  not  build  them  up. 

6.  Blessed  be  Jehovah, 

Because  he  hath  heard  the  voice  of  my  supplications. 

7.  Jehovah  is  my  strength  and  my  shield; 

My  heart  hath  trusted  in  him,  and  I  am  helped: 
Therefore  my  heart  greatly  rejoice th; 
And  with  my  song  will  I  praise  him. 

8.  Jehovah  is  their  strength, 

And  he  is  a  stronghold  of  salvation  to  his  anointed. 

9.  Save  thy  people,  and  bless  thine  inheritance: 

Be  their  shepherd  also,  and  bear  them  up  for  ever. 


PSALM   XXVIII.  IOI 


Psalm  XXVIII. 

I.    A  pit  signifies  falsity.  A.  4728. 

Here  also  Jehovah,  and  rock  are  mentioned,  because  by 
Jehovah  is  understood  the  Lord  as  to  Divine  good,  and 
by  rock  the  Lord  as  to  Divine  truth.  Since  both  these 
are  understood,  therefore  also  it  is  twice  said  "  be  not  silent 
unto  me,  lest  if  thou  be  silent  unto  me,"  one  having  refer- 
ence to  Divine  good,  and  the  other  to  Divine  truth. 

E.  411. 
See  Psalm  xviii.  3,  32,  47.  Inv.  35. 

1-5.  Prayer  of  the  Lord  to  the  Father  that  the  hypocrites 
may  be  subjugated.  P.  P. 

6.  Blessing  involves  every  good  celestial,  spiritual,  and  also 
natural.  These  are  signified  by  blessing  in  the  internal 
sense.  In  the  external  sense  by  blessing  is  signified  every 
worldly,  corporeal,  and  earthly  good,  but  these  if  they  be  a 
blessing  will  be  of  necessity  from  internal  blessing,  for 
this  alone  is  blessing,  because  it  is  eternal  and  joined  with 
every  felicity,  and  is  the  very  being  of  blessings.  Blessed 
be  Jehovah  signifies  every  good  for  those  who  worship  the 
Lord  from  internals.  A.  1096. 

To  bless  Jehovah,  or  the  Lord,  and  to  be  blessed  by 
Jehovah,  or  the  Lord,  was  a  common  form  of  speech.  It 
was  therefore  common  also  to  say  "Blessed  be  Jehovah." 

A.  1422. 
By  blessing  is  meant  all  the  good  which  man  has  from 
the  Lord,  as  power  and  opulence,  and  the  things  which 
accompany  them,  but  especially  all  spiritual  good,  as 
love  and  wisdom,  charity  and  faith,  and  thence  the  joy 
and  happiness  which  are  of  life  eternal.  Because  all  these 
are  from  the  Lord  it  follows  that  they  are  in  Him,  for  un- 
less they  were  in  Him  they  could  not  be  in  others  from 
Him.  Hence  it  is  that  the  Lord  is  called  "Blessed"  in 
the  Word.  R.  289. 


102  PSALM   XXVIII. 

6-8.    He  will  assist  and  will  prevail.  P.  P. 

7.  Here  because  song  signifies  confession  from  joy  of  heart, 
therefore  it  is  said  "my  heart  greatly  rejoiceth,  and  with 
my  song  will  I  confess  unto  him.''  E.  326. 

7.  8.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1-3  et  seq.  A.  8261. 

8.  See  Psalm  ii.  2.  A.  3008. 
See  Psalm  ii.  2,  6.  A.  9954. 
See  Psalm  ii.  2,  6.  R.  779. 
See  Psalm  ii.  2,  6.  E.  375. 

9.  May  those  be  saved  who  are  in  the  truths  and  good  of 
the  church.  P.  P. 


PSALM  XXIX. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 


i.     Ascribe  unto  Jehovah,  O  ye  sons  of  the  mighty, 
Ascribe  unto  Jehovah  glory  and  strength. 

2.  Ascribe  unto  Jehovah  the  glory  due  unto  his  name; 
Worship  Jehovah  in  holy  array. 

3.  The  voice  of  Jehovah  is  upon  the  waters: 
The  God  of  glory  thundereth, 

Even  Jehovah  upon  many  waters. 

4.  The  voice  of  Jehovah  is  powerful; 
The  voice  of  Jehovah  is  full  of  majesty. 

5.  The  voice  of  Jehovah  breaketh  the  cedars; 

Yea,  Jehovah  breaketh  in  pieces  the  cedars  of  Lebanon. 

6.  He  maketh  them  also  to  skip  like  a  calf; 
Lebanon  and  Sirion  like  a  young  wild-ox. 

7.  The  voice  of  Jehovah  cleaveth  the  flames  of  fire. 

8.  The  voice  of  Jehovah  shaketh  the  wilderness; 
Jehovah  shaketh  the  wilderness  of  Kadesh. 

9.  The  voice  of  Jehovah  maketh  the  hinds  to  calve, 
And  strippeth  the  forests  bare: 

And  in  his  temple  everything  saith,  Glory. 

10.  Jehovah  sat  as  King  at  the  Flood; 
Yea,  Jehovah  sitteth  as  King  for  ever. 

11.  Jehovah  will  give  strength  unto  his  people; 
Jehovah  will  bless  his  people  with  peace. 


PSALM   XXIX. 


Psalm   XXIX. 


103 


1.  Here  the  sons  of  the  gods,  or  Elim,  stand  for  truth  Di- 
vine, of  which  it  is  manifest  that  power  is  predicated. 

A.  4402. 
The  Divine  truth  in  the  heavens  is  what  in  the  Word  of 
the  Old  Testament  is  meant  by  God.  In  the  original  lan- 
guage God  is  called  Elohim  in  the  plural,  and  also  the 
angels  who  are  in  the  heavens,  because  they  are  recipients 
of  the  Divine  truth  are  called  gods.  A.  7268. 

1-4.  Those  who  are  in  truths  from  the  Word  will  adore  the 
Lord,  who  is  the  Word.  P.  P. 

2.  In  the  ornament  —  beauty  —  of  holiness  means  in  the 
genuine  truths  of  the  church.  '  A.  10540. 

3.  Spiritual  waters  are  meant,  that  is  spiritual  things  which 
are  of  truth.  A.  2702. 

Voice  stands  for  Divine  truth,  waters  stand  for  the  truths 
which  are  in  the  heavens  and  from  the  heavens.      A.  9926. 

By  waters  in  the  Word  are  meant  truths  in  the  natural 
man.  R.  50. 

The  Lord  speaking  through  heaven  from  Divine  truths 
is  similarly  spoken  of  in  Revelation  i.  15;  xix.  6:  Ezekiel 
xliii.  2.  R.  614. 

"His  voice  was  like  the  voice  of  many  waters,"  Ezekiel 
xliii.  2.     By  this  is  understood  Divine  truth.  E.  71. 

Voice  stands  for  whatever  proceeds  from  the  Lord  and 
is  perceived  by  angels  and  by  men.  E.  261. 

3-9.  The  subject  treated  of  in  this  Psalm  is  concerning  the 
Divine  truth  which  destroys  falses  and  evils.  This  Di- 
vine truth  is  the  voice  of  Jehovah.  The  glory  which  is 
mentioned  is  the  Divine  truth  which  is  in  heaven  and  in 
the  church.  A.  9926. 

By  the  voice  of  Jehovah,  which  is  the  thunder  here,  is 
meant  the  Divine  truth,  or  the  Word,  in  its  power.  By 
the  great  waters  upon  which  Jehovah  sitteth  are  meant  its 


104  PSALM  XXIX. 

3  truths.  By  the  cedars  and  by  Lebanon  which  He  break- 
eth  and  breaketh  to  pieces,  are  meant  the  falsities  of  the 
natural  man.  By  the  calf  and  the  son  of  unicorns,  the 
falsities  of  the  natural  and  of  the  sensual  man.  By  the 
flame  of  fire,  the  affection  for  falsity.  By  the  wilderness 
and  the  wilderness  of  Kadesh,  the  church  where  there  is 
no  truth  and  no  good.  By  the  hinds  which  the  voice  of 
Jehovah  maketh  to  be  in  travail,  are  meant  the  Gentiles 
who  are  in  natural  good.  By  the  forests  which  He  mak- 
eth bare,  the  knowledges  and  cognitions  which  the  Word 
opens  to  them.  Therefore  it  follows  that  "  in  His  temple 
doth  every  one  speak  of  glory"  means,  that  in  everything 
in  the  Word  there  are  Divine  truths,  for  the  temple  sig- 
nifies the  Lord  and  hence  the  Word,  also  heaven  and  the 
church,  and  glory  signifies  the  Divine  truth.  S.  18. 

That  a  great  voice  when  it  is  heard  from  heaven  signi- 
fies the  Divine  truth  is  manifest.  See  Psalm  lxviii.  32,  33 : 
Joel  ii.  11.  R-  37- 

The  subject  here  treated  of  is  concerning  the  Divine 
which  proceeds  from  the  Lord,  and  which  in  one  expres- 
sion is  called  the  Divine  truth.  Its  effect  both  with  the 
good  and  with  the  evil  is  described  by  such  things  as  are 
here  mentioned.  .  E.  261. 

3-1 1.  Here  again  the  voice  of  Jehovah  stands  for  truth 
Divine  and  its  power,  thus  also  for  the  Word,  since  this  is 
truth  Divine.  A.  7573. 

3~5>  7~9-  The  voice  of  Jehovah  is  taken  for  the  Word  itself, 
for  the  doctrine  of  faith,  for  conscience  or  internal  ad- 
monition, and  for  every  reproof  therefrom.  A.  219. 
A  voice  signifies  annunciation,  and  in  a  good  sense  an- 
nunciation from  the  Word,  which  voice  is  called  the  voice 
of  Jehovah.                                                                 A.  6971. 

3-5,  7-9,  11.  The  power  of  Divine  truth  is  also  meant  by 
the  voice  of  Jehovah.  A.  10182. 

5-1 1.     The  power  of  Divine  truth  from  the  Lord.        P.  P. 

6.     By  the  fatted  calf  —  Luke  xv.  22,  23  —  common  goods 


PSALM   XXX. 


I05 


corresponding  to  common  truths  are  understood.     The 
same  is  signified  by  calves  and  heifers  in  other  places. 

A.  9391. 
By  the  cedars  of  Lebanon  the  knowledges  of  truth  are 
signified,  by  a  calf  is  signified  the  affection  of  knowing. 

R.  242. 

7.     A  flame  of  fire  is  the  Divine  truth  proceeding  from  the 

Lord.  A.  6832. 

9.  Bringing  forth  or  bearing  signifies  fruitfulness  as  to  the 
things  of  doctrine.  A.  2584. 

That  there  is  an  internal  sense  which  is  spiritual  in  "  the 
voice  of  Jehovah  hath  made  the  hinds  to  calve"  is  mani- 
festly evident  from  this,  that  immediately  afterward  it  is 
said  "but  in  His  temple  every  one  saith  glory"  which 
words  do  not  combine  with  those  which  precede  concern- 
ing hinds  and  forests  without  a  spiritual  sense.     A.  6413. 

10.  It  is  plain  that  a  flood,  or  inundation  of  waters, signifjfe^ 
nothing  else  than  temptations  and  vastations.         A.  739. 

See  Psalm  ix.  8.  E.  687. 

11.  See  Psalm  iv.  7-9.  R.  306. 
When  evils  and  falsities  are  removed  and  no  more  infest, 

then  the  Lord  flows  in  with  peace,  in  which  and  from 
which  are  heaven/  and  the  delight  which  fills  with  beati- 
tude the  interiors  of  the  mind,  consequently  celestial  joy. 
E.  365. 

PSALM  XXX. 

A  Psalm;  a  Song  at  the  Dedication  of  the  House.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     I  will  extol  thee,  O  Jehovah;  for  thou  hast  raised  me 
up, 
And  hast  not  made  my  foes  to  rejoice  over  me. 

2.  O  Jehovah  my  God, 

I  cried  unto  thee,  and  thou  hast  healed  me. 

3.  O  Jehovah,  thou  hast  brought  up  my  soul  from  Sheol; 
Thou  hast  kept  me  alive,  that  I  should  not  go  down 

to  the  pit. 


I06  PSALM    XXX. 

4.  Sing  praise  unto  Jehovah,  O  ye  saints  of  his, 
And  give  thanks  to  his  holy  memorial  name. 

5.  For  his  anger  is  but  for  a  moment; 
His  favor  is  for  a  lifetime: 
Weeping  may  tarry  for  the  night, 
But  joy  cometh  in  the  morning. 

6.  As  for  me,  I  said  in  my  prosperity, 
I  shall  never  be  moved. 

7.  Thou,  Jehovah,  of  thy  favor  hadst  made  my  mountain 

to  stand  strong: 
Thou  didst  hide  thy  face;  I  was  troubled. 

8.  I  cried  to  thee,  O  Jehovah; 

And  unto  Jehovah  I  made  supplication: 

9.  What  profit  is  there  in  my  blood,  when  I  go  down  to 

the  pit  ? 
Shall  the  dust  praise  thee  ?  shall  it  declare  thy  truth  ? 

10.  Hear,  O  Jehovah,  and  have  mercy  upon  me: 
Jehovah,  be  thou  my  helper. 

11.  Thou  hast  turned  for  me  my  mourning  into  dancing; 
Thou  hast  loosed  my  sackcloth,  and  girded  me  with 

gladness ; 

12.  To  the  end  that  my  glory  may  sing  praise  to  thee,  and 

not  be  silent. 
O  Jehovah  my  God,  I  will  give  thanks  unto  thee  for 
ever. 

Psalm  XXX. 

1-13.  The  glorification  of  the  Human  of  the  Lord  after  He 
has  suffered  temptations,  even  the  last  of  them  which  was 
that  of  the  cross.  P.  P. 

2.  That  the  Lord  alone  preserves  from  evils  is  evident  from 
the  signification  of  healing,  as  relieving  and  also  preserv- 
ing from  evils,  for  diseases  signify  evils.  A.  8365. 

4.  That  pits  are  falsities  is  because  men  who  have  been  in 
principles  of  falsity  are  kept  after  death  awhile  under  the 
lower  earth,  until  falsities  have  been  removed  from  them, 
and  as  it  were  rejected  to  the  sides.  A.  4728. 

See  Psalm  vi.  6.  E.  186. 

5.  Memorial   —  remembrance   —  is   predicated   of  the 


PSALM   XXX. 


I07 


quality  of  the  Divine  in  worship,  as  to  both  truth  and  good, 
and  specifically  as  to  good.  A.  6888. 

6.  "The  morning  cometh  and  also  the  night " — Isaiah  xxi. 
11,  12 — signifies  that  although  those  have  illumination 
who  are  of  the  New  Church,  yet  that  it  is  still  night  to 
those  who  are  in  the  old.  The  like  is  signified  by  morning 
here.  A.  10134. 

When  the  light  of  truth  appears  and  truth  is  received 
the  state  of  the  church  in  the  world  is  as  morning  and  day, 
when  the  light  of  truth  does  not  appear,  and  truth  is  not 
received,  the  state  of  the  church  in  the  world  is  as  evening 
and  night.  C.  J.  13. 

Every  man  who  is  born  in  the  church,  or  in  whom  the 

church  has  commenced  first  comes  into  its  light  such  as  it 

is  in  the  dawn  and  morning.  Coro.  5. 

8.     See  Psalm  xiii.  2.  R.  939. 

See  Psalm  xiii.  2.  E.  412. 

12.  Dancing  is  here  predicated  of  truths,  and  joy  of  goods, 
and  so  loosening  sackcloth  stands  for  taking  away  mourn- 
ing over  destroyed  good.  A.  4779. 

Since  in  ancient  times  the  gladnesses  which  excelled  all 
others  were  spiritual  gladnesses,  that  is  from  affections  of 
spiritual  loves  which  were  those  of  good  and  truth,  there- 
fore also  it  was  then  allowed  to  adjoin  dances  to  songs  and 
musical  harmonies,  and  so  likewise  in  these  ways  to  testify 
joy.  This  is  why  dances  are  mentioned  in  the  Word,  and 
thereby  are  signified  gladnesses  of  affections  for  truth,  or 
faith  from  good  or  charity.  A.  8339. 

Since  in  the  Word  internal  things  are  described  by  ex- 
ternal, so  also  the  joys  and  gladnesses  which  are  in  the 
interiors  of  man  by  plays  —  or  sports  —  and  dances. 

A.  10416. 

Mourning  on  account  of  vastated  truth  in  the  church 
was  represented  by  putting  on  sackcloth.  R.  492. 

Sack  signifies  mourning,  and  to  gird  a  sack  over  the 
body  instead  of  a  garment  signifies  mourning  on  account 
of  the  truth  of  the  church  being  destroyed.  E.  637. 


108  PSALM   XXXI. 

PSALM  XXXI. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     In  thee,  0  Jehovah,  do  I  take  refuge; 
Let  me  never  be  put  to  shame: 
Deliver  me  in  thy  righteousness. 

2.  Bow  down  thine  ear  unto  me;  deliver  me  speedily: 
Be  thou  to  me  a  strong  rock, 

A  house  of  defence  to  save  me. 

3.  For  thou  art  my  rock  and  my  fortress; 

Therefore  for  thy  name's  sake  lead  me  and  guide  me. 

4.  Pluck  me  out  of  the  net  that  they  have  laid  privily 

for  me; 
For  thou  art  my  stronghold. 

5.  Into  thy  hand  I  commend  my  spirit: 

Thou  hast  redeemed  me,   O  Jehovah,  thou  God  of 
truth. 

6.  I  hate  them  that  regard  lying  vanities; 
But  I  trust  in  Jehovah. 

7.  I  will  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  thy  lovingkindness ; 
For  thou  hast  seen  my  affliction: 

Thou  hast  known  my  soul  in  adversities: 

8.  And  thou  hast  not  shut  me  up  into  the  hand  of  the 

enemy; 
Thou  hast  set  my  feet  in  a  large  place. 

9.  Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  Jehovah,  for  I  am  in  distress: 
Mine  eye  wasteth  away  with  grief,  yea,  my  soul  and 

my  body. 

10.  For  my  life  is  spent  with  sorrow, 
And  my  years  with  sighing: 

My  strength  faileth  because  of  mine  iniquity, 
And  my  bones  are  wasted  away. 

11.  Because  of  all  mine  adversaries  I  am  become  a  re- 

proach, 
Yea,  unto  my  neighbors  exceedingly, 
And  a  fear  to  mine  acquaintance: 
They  that  did  see  me  without  fled  from  me. 

12.  I  am  forgotten  as  a  dead  man  out  of  mind: 
I  am  like  a  broken  vessel. 


PSALM   XXXI.  IO9 

13.  For  I  have  heard  the  defaming  of  many, 
Terror  on  every  side: 

While  they  took  counsel  together  against  me, 
They  devised  to  take  away  my  life. 

14.  But  I  trusted  in  thee,  O  Jehovah: 
I  said,  Thou  art  my  God. 

15.  My  times  are  in  thy  hand: 

Deliver  me  from  the  hand  of  mine  enemies,  and  from 
them  that  persecute  me. 

16.  Make  thy  face  to  shine  upon  thy  servant: 
Save  me  in  thy  lovingkindness. 

17.  Let  me  not  be  put  to  shame,  O  Jehovah;  for  I  have 

called  upon  thee: 
Let  the  wicked  be  put  to  shame,  let  them  be  silent  in 
Sheol. 

18.  Let  the  lying  lips  be  dumb, 

Which  speak  against  the  righteous  insolently, 
With  pride  and  contempt. 

19.  Oh  how  great  is  thy  goodness, 

Which  thou  hast  laid  up  for  them  that  fear  thee, 
Which  thou  hast  wrought  for  them  that  take  refuge 

in  thee, 
Before  the  sons  of  men! 

20.  In  the  covert  of  thy  presence  wilt  thou  hide  them  from 

the  plottings  of  man: 
Thou  wilt  keep  them  secretly  in  a  pavilion  from  the 
strife  of  tongues. 

21.  Blessed  be  Jehovah; 

For  he  hath  showed  me  his  marvellous  lovingkindness 
in  a  strong  city. 

22.  As  for  me,  I  said  in  my  haste, 

I  am  cut  off  from  before  thine  eyes: 
Nevertheless    thou   heardest   the   voice    of   my   sup- 
plications, 
When  I  cried  unto  thee. 

23.  Oh  love  Jehovah,  all  ye  his  saints: 
Jehovah  preserveth  the  faithful, 

And  plentifully  rewardeth  him  that  dealeth  proudly. 

24.  Be  strong,  and  let  your  heart  take  courage, 
All  ye  that  hope  in  Jehovah. 


IIO  PSALM   XXXI. 


Psalm   XXXI. 


1-5.  Prayer  of  the  Lord  to  the  Father,  that  He  may  be 
protected  from  those  who  devise  evil.  P.  P. 

3,  4.     See  Psalm  xviii.  3,  32,  47.  Inv.  35. 

6.  Jehovah  is  called  Redeemer  and  Saviour,  and  as  the 
Lord  alone  is  the  Redeemer  and  Saviour,  it  is  He  who  is 
meant  by  Jehovah.  L.  38. 

By  spirit  is  meant  the  life  of  the  regenerate,  which  is 
called  spiritual  life.  L.  49. 

These  passages  prove  that  Jehovah  and  the  Lord  are 
one.  R.  281. 

See  Psalm  xix.  15.  R.  613. 

See  Psalm  xix.  15.  T.  83. 

To  redeem  means  to  liberate  from  falsities  and  to  re- 
form by  truths.  E.  328. 
6-1 1.     And  who  want  to  slay  Him,  whence  He  has  grief  of 
heart.  P.  P. 
Thou  hast  redeemed  me  Jehovah,  God  of  truth. 

D.  P.,  Page  86. 

8.  See  Psalm  v.  12.  E.  660. 

9.  To  stand  in  a  broad  place  means  in  truth.         A.  161 3. 
The  signification  of  broad  in  spaces  is  the  extent  as  to 

truths,  and  thus  as  to  what  is  of  doctrine.  By  breadth  the 
truth  of  the  church  is  signified.  A.  4482. 

That  length  in  the  Word  signifies  good  and  breadth 
truth  may  seem  a  paradox,  but  still  it  is  so.  A.  9487. 

In  the  Word  by  breadth  is  signified  truth.  H.  197. 

By  breadth  is  signified  truth.  R.  861. 

By  breadth  is  signified  the  truth  of  doctrine  from  the 
Word,  wherefore  by  causing  his  feet  to  stand  in  the 
breadth  is  signified  to  cause  him  to  live  according  to  Divine 
truths.  E.  666. 

10.  By  the  eye,  the  soul,  and  the  belly  are  here  signified  the 
understanding,  and  thence  the  thought  of  truth,  interior 


PSALM  XXXI.  Ill 

and  exterior.  Thus  by  the  belly  are  signified  the  interiors 
of  the  understanding,  which  are  said  to  be  consumed  with 
grief  when  they  perish  by  falsities.  E.  622. 

By  these  words,  also  in  Psalm  xliv.  26,  is  described  a 
state  of  temptations,  by  the  eye  is  signified  the  under- 
standing, by  the  soul  the  faith  and  understanding  of  truth, 
and  by  the  belly  the  faith  and  understanding  of  good. 
The  reason  why  this  is  signified  by  the  belly  is,  because 
the  belly  receives  the  food,  and  by  food  and  bread  is  sig- 
nified the  good  which  nourishes,  in  the  present  case  the 
understanding  and  faith.  The  defect  thereof  in  tempta- 
tions is  signified  by  consuming  for  indignity,  bowing  down 
to  the  dust,  and  cleaving  to  the  earth  in  Psalm  xliv.  25,  26. 

E.  750. 
12-14.     They  treat  Him  with  contumely,  as  upon  the  cross. 

P.  P. 
15-22.     Through  trust  in  the  Father  He  is  delivered. 

P.  P. 

16,  17.  It  is  manifest  that  to  make  the  face  to  shine  is  to 
be  merciful,  and  to  lift  up  the  countenance  is  to  give  peace, 
the  face  here  again  standing  for  mercy.  A.  5585. 

17.  See  Psalm  xxvii.  8,  9.  R.  939. 
See  Psalm  xxvii.  9.  E.  409. 

Here  by  Jehovah  making  his  face  to  shine  upon  his 
servant  is  signified  illumination  in  Divine  truth  from  Di- 
vine love,  for  the  Divine  truth  which  proceeds  from  the 
Lord  as  a  sun  in  the  angelic  heaven  communicates  all  the 
light  which  is  there,  and  also  illuminates  the  minds  of  the 
angels,  and  fills  them  with  wisdom,  wherefore  the  face  of 
the  Lord,  in  the  proper  sense,  is  the  sun  of  the  angelic 
heaven.  E.  412. 

21.  Interior  truths  are  said  to  be  hiding,  for  the  reason  that 
if  they  had  been  revealed,  they  would  then  have  been 
profaned.  A.  4391. 

By  tongues  in  the  opposite  sense  false  doctrines  are 
signified.  R.  282. 


112  PSALM   XXXI. 

21     See  Psalm  xxvii.  8,  g.  R,  939. 

By  being  hid  in  the  secret  of  Jehovah's  presence  is 
signified  the  non-appearance  of  the  Divine  good  before 
others.  To  be  kept  secretly  in  a  pavilion  signifies  to  be 
kept  in  Divine  truth.  The  pride  of  man  and  the  strife  of 
tongues  signify  the  evils  of  what  is  false,  and  the  falsity  of 
evil,  for  pride  is  predicated  of  evil  because  of  the  love  of 
self.  Man  signifies  truth  and  also  falsity.  The  strife  of 
tongues  signifies  the  falsity  of  evils.  E.  412. 

Here  by  the  secret  of  Jehovah's  presence  in  which  He  is 
said  to  hide  them  is  signified  the  Divine  good  of  the  Divine 
love,  for  the  presence  of  Jehovah  signifies  the  good  of 
love,  and  secret  signifies  inwardly  in  man.  By  the  pride 
of  man  is  meant  the  pride  of  his  own  intelligence.  By  the 
pavilion  in  which  he  is  said  to  hide  them  is  signified  Divine 
truth,  and  by  the  strife  of  tongues  the  falsity  of  religion, 
from  which  they  reason  against  truths,  hence  it  is  evident 
what  these  words  signify  in  their  series.  E.  455. 

22.  See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  A.  1096. 
See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  A.  1422. 
See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  R.  289. 

23.  From  despair  He  imagines  himself  to  be  forsaken,  but 
He  is  not.  P.  P. 

24.  25.     Let  there  be  trust  in  the  Lord.  P.  P. 


PSALM  XXXII. 

A  Psalm  of  David.     Maschil. 

Blessed  is  he  whose  transgression  is  forgiven, 

Whose  sin  is  covered. 

Blessed  is  the  man  unto  whom  Jehovah  imputeth  not 

iniquity, 
And  in  whose  spirit  there  is  no  guile. 
When  I  kept  silence,  my  bones  wasted  away 
Through  my  groaning  all  the  day  long. 


PSALM   XXXII.  113 

4.  For  day  and  night  thy  hand  was  heavy  upon  me: 

My   moisture  was  changed  as  with  the  drought  of 
summer.  [Selah 

5.  I  acknowledged  my  sin  unto  thee, 
And  mine  iniquity  did  I  not  hide: 

I  said,  I  will  confess  my  transgressions  unto  Jehovah; 
And  thou  forgavest  the  iniquity  of  my  sin. 

6.  For  this  let  every  one  that  is  godly  pray  unto  thee  in  a 

time  when  thou  mayest  be  found: 
Surely  when  the  great  waters  overflow  they  shall  not 
reach  unto  him. 

7.  Thou  art  my  hiding-place;  thou  wilt  preserve  me  from 

trouble; 
Thou  wilt  compass  me  about  with  songs  of  deliverance 

[Selah 

8.  I  will  instruct  thee  and  teach  thee  in  the  way  which 

thou  shalt  go: 
I  will  counsel  thee  with  mine  eye  upon  thee. 

9.  Be  ye  not  as  the  horse,  or  as  the  mule,  which  have  no 

understanding; 
Whose  trappings  must  be  bit  and  bridle  to  hold  them  in, 
Else  they  will  not  come  near  unto  thee. 

10.  Many  sorrows  shall  be  to  the  wicked; 

But  he  that  trusteth  in  Jehovah,  lovingkindness  shall 
compass  him  about. 

11.  Be  glad  in  Jehovah,  and  rejoice,  ye  righteous; 
And  shout  for  joy,  all  ye  that  are  upright  in  heart. 


Psalm   XXXII. 

1.  Mention  is  made  of  transgression  and  also  of  sin,  be- 
cause of  the  marriage  of  truth  and  good  in  everything  of 
the  Word,  for  transgression  signifies  evil  against  truth, 
which  is  less,  and  sin  evil  agains't  good,  which  is  more 
grievous.  A.  6563. 

1,  2.     The  just  man  is  happy.  P.  P. 

2.  See  Psalm,  v.  7.  A.  9013. 
By  spirit  is  meant  the  very  life  of  man.     It  denotes  in- 


114  PSALM    XXXII. 

2  tellectual  life  or  the  life  of  truth.  This  is  manifest  from 
the  consideration  that  by  spirit  in  the  natural  sense  is 
meant  the  life  of  the  respiration  of  man,  and  the  respira- 
tion, which  is  of  the  lungs,  corresponds  to  the  life  of  truth, 
which  is  the  life  of  faith  and  thence  of  the  understanding, 
whilst  the  pulse,  which  is  of  the  heart,  corresponds  to  the 
life  of  the  will,  thus  of  the  love.  A.  9818. 

Because  the  life  of  man  varies  according  to  his  state, 
therefore  by  spirit  is  meant  the  varying  affection  of  life 
with  man,  here  a  life  of  various  evil  affections.  L.  48. 

The  angels  also  explained  to  me  the  meaning  of  the 
Word  in  Psalm  xxxii.  2  from  the  letters  or  syllables  alone, 
showing  that  the  sum  of  their  meaning  was  that  the  Lord 
is  merciful  even  to  those  that  do  evil.  S.  90. 

Spirit  signifies  the  mind  of  man,  and  such  things  as  are 
of  the  mind.  T.  156. 

The  statement  of  S.  90  repeated  in  T.  278. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  1.  E.  866. 

3.  Roaring  signifies  grievous  lamentations.  See  also 
Psalm  xxxviii.  8  and  Job  hi.  24.  R.  471. 

Roaring  signifies  grievous  lamentations  from  grief  of 
heart.  E.  601. 

3,  4.     The  grievousness  of  temptations  is  described.     P.  P. 
5-7.     Confession  of  infirmities  and  deliverance.  P.  P. 

6,  7.  The  inundation  of  waters  stands  for  temptation,  which 
is  also  called  a  flood.  A.  739. 

8,  9.     He  is  wise  P.  P. 

10,11.     Let  there  be  trust.  P.P. 

II.    See  Psalm  xiv.  7.  E.  660. 


PSALM    XXXIII.  115 


PSALM  XXXIII. 

1.  Rejoice  in  Jehovah,  O  ye  righteous: 
Praise  is  comely  for  the  upright. 

2.  Give  thanks  unto  Jehovah  with  the  harp: 

Sing  praises  unto  him  with  the  psaltery  of  ten  strings. 

3.  Sing  unto  him  a  new  song; 
Play  skilfully  with  a  loud  noise. 

4.  For  the  word  of  Jehovah  is  right; 

And  all  his  work  is  done  in  faithfulness. 

5.  He  loveth  righteousness  and  justice: 

The  earth  is  full  of  the  lovingkindness  of  Jehovah. 

6.  By  the  word  of  Jehovah  were  the  heavens  made, 
And  all  the  host  of  them  by  the  breath  of  his  mouth. 

7.  He  gathereth  the  waters  of  the  sea  together  as  a  heap: 
He  layeth  up  the  deeps  in  storehouses. 

8.  Let  all  the  earth  fear  Jehovah: 

Let  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  world  stand  in  awe  of 
him. 

9.  For  he  spake,  and  it  was  done; 
He  commanded,  and  it  stood  fast. 

10.  Jehovah  bringeth  the  counsel  of  the  nations  to  nought; 
He  maketh  the  thoughts  of  the  peoples  to  be  of  no 

effect. 

11.  The  counsel  of  Jehovah  standeth  fast  for  ever, 
The  thoughts  of  his  heart  to  all  generations. 

12.  Blessed  is  the  nation  whose  God  is  Jehovah, 

The  people  whom  he  hath  chosen  for  his  own  inherit- 
ance. 

13.  Jehovah  looketh  from  heaven; 
He  beholdeth  all  the  sons  of  men; 

14.  From  the  place  of  his  habitation  he  looketh  forth 
Upon  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth, 

15.  He  that  fashioneth  the  hearts  of  them  all, 
That  considereth  all  their  works. 

16.  There  is  no  king  saved  by  the  multitude  of  a  host: 
A  mighty  man  is  not  delivered  by  great  strength. 

17.  A  horse  is  a  vain  thing  for  safety; 

Neither  doth  he  deliver  any  by  his  great  power. 


Il6  PSALM   XXXIII. 

1 8.  Behold,  the  eye  of  Jehovah  is  upon  them  that  fear  him, 
Upon  them  that  hope  in  his  lovingkindness; 

19.  To  deliver  their  soul  from  death, 
And  to  keep  them  alive  in  famine. 

20.  Our  soul  hath  waited  for  Jehovah: 
He  is  our  help  and  our  shield. 

21.  For  our  heart  shall  rejoice  in  him, 
Because  we  have  trusted  in  his  holy  name. 

22.  Let  thy  lovingkindness,  O  Jehovah,  be  upon  us, 
According  as  we  have  hoped  in  thee. 


Psalm  XXXIII. 

1,  2.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1-3.  Joy  of  heart  arises  from  celestial  and  from  spiritual 
love.  The  words  "  rejoice  O  ye  righteous  "  are  predicated 
of  those  who  are  in  celestial  love,  "  Confess  to  Jehovah 
with  the  harp  and  sing  unto  him  with  the  psaltery"  is  said 
of  those  who  are  in  spiritual  love.  E.  326. 

1-4.  Truth  of  faith  concerning  which  such  things  are  said. 
Spiritual  things,  or  truths  and  goods  of  faith  were  cele- 
brated with  the  harp  and  psaltery  and  wTith  singing,  and 
the  like,  but  the  holy  or  celestial -things  of  faith  were  cele- 
brated with  wind  instruments,  such  as  the  trumpet  and 
its  kind.  It  was  for  this  reason  that  there  were  so  many 
instruments  about  the  temple,  and  that  this  or  that  was 
so  often  celebrated  with  certain  instruments.  A.  420. 

1-9.  A  song  in  praise  of  the  Lord  because  the  church  is 
from  Him  through  the  Word.  P.  P. 

1,  3.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

2,  3.  Harps  signify  confessions  of  the  Lord  from  spiritual 
truths.  Psaltery  and  harps  correspond  to  spiritual  goods 
and  truths.  R.  276. 

2-5.  Since  the  harp  signifies  confession  from  spiritual 
truths  it  is  therefore  said  "  Confess  unto  Jehovah  upon  the 
harp."     The  psaltery  and  an  instrument  of  ten  strings 


PSALM   XXXIII.  117 

signifies  spiritual  corresponding  good.  The  truth  of  the 
good  is  signified  by  "the  Word  of  Jehovah  is  right"  and 
the  good  of  the  truth  by  "all  his  works  are  done  in  truth." 

E.  323> 
2-7.     That  gladness  of  heart  was  signified  by  songs  is  plain. 

A.  8261. 
6.  Life  is  described  by  breathing  and  by  breath,  because 
the  men  of  the  Most  Ancient  Church  perceived  the  states 
of  love  and  faith  by  the  states  of  respiration,  which  states 
were  gradually  changed  in  their  posterity.  The  Lord 
likens  the  spirit  or  life  to  the  wind,  when  speaking  of  the 
regeneration  of  man  —  see  John  hi.  8.  A.  97. 

The  host  of  them,  or  of  the  heavens  stands  for  truths. 

A.  3448. 

That  by  the  wind  of  Jehovah  or  His  breath  is  signified 
the  life  which  is  of  heaven,  and  which  is  of  the  man  who 
is  in  heaven,  that  is  of  a  regenerate  man,  is  evident. 

A.  8286. 

Breathing  was  a  representation  of  vivification  by  faith 
and  love.  A.  9229. 

By  heavens  are  signified  the  angelic  heavens,  but  by 
the  angelic  heavens  are  signified  Divine  truths,  since  the 
angels  are  receptacles  of  Divine  truths  proceeding  from 
the  Lord.  A.  9408. 

The  Word  of  Jehovah  is  the  Divine  truth,  as  also  the 
spirit  of  His  mouth.  That  this  is  the  Lord  is  manifest 
from  John  i.  1-3,  14.  A.  9818. 

The  Word  of  Jehovah  is  the  Divine  truth  proceeding 
from  the  Lord,  the  breath  of  the  mouth  of  Jehovah  is  life 
thence  derived.  The  heavens  thence  made  and  all  the 
host  of  them  are  the  angels  so  far  as  they  are  receptacles 
of  Divine  truth.  The  reason  why  the  heavens  stand  for 
angels  is  because  angels  constitute  heaven.  A.  9987. 

The  Word  is  from  the  Lord  and  concerning  the  Lord, 
and  thus  the  Lord.  All  thought,  speech,  and  writing  de- 
rives its  essence  and  life  from  him  who  thinks,  speaks,  and 


Il8  PSALM   XXXIII. 

6  writes,  the  man  with  his  quality  is  in  them,  but  the  Lord 
alone  is  in  the  Word.  Without  the  Divine  truth  of  the 
Word  which  in  its  essence  is  the  Divine  good  of  the  Divine 
love,  and  the  Divine  truth  of  the  Divine  wisdom  of  the 
Lord,  a  man  cannot  have  life.  R.  200. 

The  goods  and  truths  of  heaven  and  the  church  are 
signified  in  the  WTord  by  armies  —  hosts,  —  and  in  the 
opposite  sense  evils  and  falsities.  R.  447. 

Men  who  are  in  Divine  truths  from  the  Lord  when  act- 
ing against  evil  and  falsities,  consequently  against  bands 
of  devils,  who  considered  in  their  essence  are  no  other  than 
evils  and  falsities,  are  in  the  spiritual  world  like  lions,  al- 
though as  to  their  bodies  they  have  no  more  strength  than 
sheep.  The  reason  why  there  is  such  strength  inherent  in 
Divine  truth  is,  because  God  is  good  itself  and  truth  itself, 
and  He  created  the  universe  by  the  Divine  truth,  and  all 
the  laws  of  order,  by  which  He  preserves  the  universe,  are 
truths.  T.  87. 

That  the  universe  was  created  by  the  Divine  truth  is 
openly  said  in  John  i.  1,  3,  10  and  here.  By  the  Word  in 
both  these  places  is  meant  the  Divine  truth.  T.  224. 

The  spirit  of  God  signifies  Divine  truth,  it  is  therefore 
called  "  the  spirit  of  the  mouth  of  Jehovah."  E.  183. 

That  the  sun,  the  moon,  and  the  stars  are  called  armies 
in  the  Word  is  plain  from  numerous  passages.  See 
Psalm  cxlviii.  2,  3:  Genesis  ii.  1:  Jeremiah  xxxiii.  22. 

E.  573- 

By  the  Word  is  here  understood  Divine  truth.     E.  700. 

The  Lord  has  infinite  power  by  the  Divine  proceeding, 

which  in  general  is  called  Divine  truth.  E.  726. 

6,  7.     See  Psalm  xxix.  3.  A.  2702. 

By  the  sea  Divine  truths  with  those  who  are  in  the 
borders  of  heaven  are  signified.  R.  238. 

The  Word  of  Jehovah  by  which  the  heavens  were  made, 
and  the  breath  of  His  mouth  by  which  is  made  all  the 
host  of  them  signifies  the  Divine  truth  proceeding  from 


PSALM   XXXIII.  Hq 

the  Lord,  the  host  of  heaven  standing  for  all  things  of 
love  and  faith.  The  waters  of  the  sea  which  he  gathers 
together  as  a  heap  signify  the  knowledges  of  truth,  and 
truths  in  general  which  are  together  in  the  natural  man. 
The  depth  which  he  layeth  up  in  storehouses  signifies  sen- 
sual scientifics,  which  are  the  most  common  and  ultimate 
of  the  natural  man,  and  in  which  at  the  same  time  are 
truths  interior  or  superior,  whence  they  are  called  store- 
houses. E  2?5> 
By  depths  are  also  signified  Divine  truths.           E.  538. 

8.  Here  also  by  the  earth  are  signified  those  who  are  in  the 
truths  of  the  church,  and  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  world 
those  who  are  in  the  goods  of  the  church.  E.  741. 

8,  18.     See  Psalm  xxii.  24.  R    c2j. 

Since  the  fear  of  Jehovah  signifies  the  reception  of  Di- 
vine truth,  and  mercy  the  reception  of  Divine  good,  there- 
fore it  is  said  that  the  eye  and  the  good  pleasure  of  Jehovah 
are  upon  them  that  fear  Him,  upon  them  that  hope  in  His 

merc7-  E.  696. 

10.     See  Psalm  xviii.  44.  S_  85 

See  Psalm  xviii.  44.  r   ^g. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  44.  T.  2^1. 

Nations  stand  for  those  who  are  in  evil,  and  people  for 

those  who  are  in  falsities,  and  because  both  the  former  and 

the  latter  are  signified,  it  is  therefore  said  that  Jehovah 

rendereth  vain  the  counsel  of  the  nations,  He  subverteth 

the  devices  of  the  people.  E.  175. 

People  stand  for  those  who  are  against  the  truth  of  the 

spiritual  church,  thus  who  are  in  falsities,  and  nations 

those  who  are  against  the  goods  of  the  celestial  church, 

thus  who  are  in  evils.     These  things  are  also  signified  by 

the  people  and  nations  who  were  driven  out  of  the  land  of 

Canaan.  E.  ??i 

10,  11.     Howsoever  much  the  evil  may  fight  against  it,  still 
it  will  continue.  p.  p 

1 1.  The  reason  why  generations  stand  for  what  is  eternal  is, 


120  PSALM   XXXIII. 

because  by  them,  in  the  internal  sense,  are  meant  the  gen- 
erations of  faith  and  charity.     Eternity  is  predicated  of 
the  Divine-celestial  or  good,  and  generation  of  the  Divine- 
spiritual  or  truth.  A.  9789 
12-15.     Happy  are  they  who  are  of  that  church.  P.  P 
16-17.     Self-intelligence  effects  nothing.  P.  P 
See  Psalm  xx.  8,  9.                                               E.  355 

17.  See  Psalm  xx.  8.  W.  H 
See  Psalm  xx.  8,  9.                                               R.  298 

18.  See  Psalm  xix.  9,  10.  A.  2826 
See  Psalm  xi.  4.  •  '  A.  10569 
See  Psalm  xi.  4.  R.  48 
See  Psalm  xi.  4.                                                      E.  68 

18,  19.  That  famine,  or  hunger  signifies  the  desire  of  know- 
ing and  understanding  the  truths  and  goods  of  the  church 
is  manifest.  R.  323. 

See  Psalm  vi.  6.  E.  186. 

By  them  that  fear  Jehovah  are  understood  those  who 
love  to  do  His  precepts.  To  deliver  their  soul  from  death 
signifies  to  rescue  them  from  evils  and  falsities,  and  thereby 
from  damnation.  To  keep  them  alive  in  famine  means  to 
give  spiritual  life  according  to  the  desire.  E.  386. 

18-22.     Those  are  saved  who  trust  in  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

19.  See  Psalm  xvi.  10.  E.  750. 


PSALM  XXXIV. 


A  Psalm  of  David;  when  he  changed  his  behavior  before  Abimelech, 
who  drove  him  away,  and  he  departed. 

i.     I  will  bless  Jehovah  at  all  times: 

His  praise  shall  continually  be  in  my  mouth. 

2.  My  soul  shall  make  her  boast  in  Jehovah: 
The  meek  shall  hear  thereof,  and  be  glad. 

3.  Oh  magnify  Jehovah  with  me, 
And  let  us  exalt  his  name  together. 


PSALM   XXXIV.  121 

4.  I  sought  Jehovah,  and  he  answered  me, 
And  delivered  me  from  all  my  fears. 

5.  They  looked  unto  him,  and  were  radiant; 
And  their  faces  shall  never  be  confounded. 

6.  This  poor  man  cried,  and  Jehovah  heard  him, 
And  saved  him  out  of  all  his  troubles. 

7.  The  angel  of  Jehovah  encampeth  round  about  them 

that  fear  him, 
And  delivereth  them. 

8.  Oh  taste  and  see  that  Jehovah  is  good: 
Blessed  is  the  man  that  taketh  refuge  in  him. 

9.  Oh  fear  Jehovah,  ye  his  saints; 

For  there  is  no  want  to  them  that  fear  him. 

10.  The  young  lions  do  lack,  and  suffer  hunger; 

But  they  that  seek  Jehovah  shall  not  want  any  good 
thing. 

11.  Come,  ye  children,  hearken  unto  me: 
I  will  teach  you  the  fear  of  Jehovah. 

12.  What  man  is  he  that  desireth  life, 

And  loveth  many  days,  that  he  may  see  good  ? 

13.  Keep  thy  tongue  from  evil, 

And  thy  lips  from  speaking  guile. 

14.  Depart  from  evil,  and  do  good; 
Seek  peace,  and  pursue  it. 

15.  The  eyes  of  Jehovah  are  toward  the  righteous, 
And  his  ears  are  open  unto  their  cry. 

16.  The  face  of  Jehovah  is  against  them  that  do  evil, 
To  cut  off  the  remembrance  of  them  from  the  earth. 

17.  The  righteous  cried,  and  Jehovah  heard, 
And  delivered  them  out  of  all  their  troubles. 

18.  Jehovah  is  nigh  unto  them  that  are  of  a  broken  heart, 
And  saveth  such  as  are  of  a  contrite  spirit. 

19.  Many  are  the  afflictions  of  the  righteous; 
But  Jehovah  delivereth  him  out  of  them  all. 

20.  He  keepeth  all  his  bones: 
Not  one  of  them  is  broken. 

21.  Evil  shall  slay  the  wicked; 

And  they  that  hate  the  righteous  shall  be  condemned. 

22.  Jehovah  redeemeth  the  soul  of  his  servants; 

And  none  of  them  that  take  refuge  in  him  shall  be 
condemned. 


122  PSALM   XXXIV. 


Psalm   XXXIV. 


1-12.  Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord  because  He  delivers  those 
who  trust  in  Him  from  all  evil.  P.  P. 

5.     We  may  often  read  in  the  Word  that  the  Lord  answers 

those  who  call  and  cry.  R.  376. 

See  Psalm  iv.  2.  E.  471. 

8.  A  camp  in  the  spiritual  sense  signifies  all  the  things  of 
the  church  which  rank  themselves  among  its  truths  and 
goods.  R.  862. 

8,  10.     See  Psalm  xxii.  24.  R.  527. 

See  Psalm  xxii.  24.  E.  696. 

10,  11.  That  the  celestial  who  are  in  power  from  good  and 
its  truth,  which  are  from  the  Lord,  are  meant  by  lions  is 
evident.  A.  6367. 

See  Psalm  xxxiii.  18,  19.  R.  323. 

Here  also  they  that  fear  Jehovah,  and  with  whom  there 
is  no  want  signify  those  who  love  to  do  the  precepts  of 
the  Lord.  They  that  seek  Jehovah,  and  who  shall  not 
want  any  good  thing  signify  those  who  for  this  are  loved 
by  the  Lord,  and  receive  from  Him  goods  and  truths. 
The  young  lions  that  are  said  to  lack  and  suffer  hunger 
signify  those  whose  knowledge  and  wisdom  are  self-de- 
rived, to  lack  and  suffer  hunger  means  that  they  have 
neither  truth  nor  good.  E.  386. 

13.  In  respect  to  lives  they  signify  in  the  plural  both  what 
is  of  the  will,  and  what  is  of  the  understanding,  conse- 
quently what  is  of  good,  and  what  is  of  truth,  for  the  life 
of  man  is  nothing  else  than  good  and  truth  wherein  is  life 
from  the  Lord,  since  man  without  good  and  truth,  and  life 
therein,  is  no  man.  A.  3623. 

13-23.     He  saves  the  good,  and  the  evil  perish.  P.  P. 

14.  See  Psalm  xvii.  1.  E.  866. 

15.  See  Psalm  iv.  7-9.  R.  306. 
Here  peace  is  used  to  denote  all  things  belonging  to 


PSALM   XXXIV.  123 

heaven  and  to  the  church,  whence  the  felicity  of  eternal 
life  is  derived.  Since  this  is  only  given  to  those  who  are 
principled  in  good,  therefore  it  is  said  "depart  from  evil 
and  do  good:  seek  peace  and  pursue  it."  E.  365. 

17.  By  the  face  of  Jehovah,  or  the  Lord,  is  also  signified 
anger,  revenge,  punishment,  and  evil,  because  the  simple, 
in  consequence  of  the  common  idea  that  all  things  are 
from  God,  believe  that  evil  is  also  from  God,  especially 
the  evil  of  punishment.  Wherefore  according  to  that 
common  idea,  and  also  according  to  appearance,  to  Je- 
hovah, or  the  Lord,  is  attributed  anger,  revenge,  punish- 
ment, and  evil,  when  yet  those  things  are  not  from  the 
Lord,  but  from  man.  A,  9306. 

See  Psalm  xiii.  2.  R.  939. 

Now  because  such  persons  —  who  have  lived  in  evil  — - 
expose  themselves  to  the  evil  of  punishment  and  to  hell, 
they  therefore  suppose  that  this  proceeds  from  the  Lord, 
and  that  He  regards  them  with  a  stern  countenance,  and 
casts  them  down  into  hell,  and  punishes  them  nearly  in 
the  same  way  as  a  man  who  is  in  anger,  whereas  the  Lord 
never  regards  any  one  but  from  the  purest  love  and  mercy. 
It  is  from  the  above  appearance  to  the  evil,  that  the  ex- 
pressions in  these  passages  are  used  in  the  Word.    E.  412. 

19.  The  reason  why  to  approach  stands  for  conjunction 
and  presence  is,  because  in  the  other  life  the  distances  of 
one  from  another  are  altogether  according  to  the  dis- 
similitudes and  diversities  of  the  interiors,  which  are  of 
thoughts  and  affections.  God  is  said  to  be  nigh  at  hand 
to  those  who  desist  from  evil.  A.  9378. 

22.     They  that  use  violence  shall  be  held  guilty.       A.  376. 

22,  23.  Guilt  is  the  blame  or  imputation  of  sin  and  of 
transgression  against  good  and  truth.  Thus  guilt  stands 
for  all  sin  which  remains,  its  separation  by  good  from  the 
Lord  is  redemption.  A.  3400. 

23.  Jehovah  redeemeth  the  soul  of  His  servants. 

D.  P.,  Page  87. 


124  PSALM   XXXV. 

PSALM  XXXV. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     Strive  thou,  O  Jehovah,  with  them  that  strive  with  me: 
Fight  thou  against  them  that  fight  against  me. 

2.  Take  hold  of  shield  and  buckler, 
And  stand  up  for  my  help. 

3.  Draw  out  also  the  spear,  and  stop  the  way  against  them 

that  pursue  me: 
Say  unto  my  soul,  I  am  thy  salvation. 

4.  Let  them  be  put  to  shame  and  brought  to  dishonor  that 

seek  after  my  soul: 
Let  them  be  turned  back  and  confounded  that  devise 
my  hurt. 

5.  Let  them  be  as  chaff  before  the  wind, 
And  the  angel  of  Jehovah  driving  them  on. 

6.  Let  their  way  be  dark  and  slippery, 
And  the  angel  of  J  ehovah  pursuing  them. 

7.  For  without  cause  have  they  hid  for  me  their  net  in  a 

pit; 
Without  cause  have  they  digged  a  pit  for  my  soul. 

8.  Let  destruction  come  upon  him  unawares; 
And  let  his  net  that  he  hath  hid  catch  himself: 
With  destruction  let  him  fall  therein. 

9.  And  my  soul  shall  be  joyful  in  Jehovah: 
It  shall  rejoice  in  his  salvation. 

10.  All  my  bones  shall  say,  Jehovah,  who  is  like  unto  thee, 
Who  deliverest  the  poor  from  him  that  is  too  strong  for 

him, 
Yea,  the  poor  and  the  needy  from  him  that  robbeth 
him? 

11.  Unrighteous  witnesses  rise  up; 

They  ask  me  of  things  that  I  know  not. 

12.  They  reward  me  evil  for  good, 
To  the  bereaving  of  my  soul. 

13.  But  as  for  me,  when  they  were  sick,  my  clothing  was 

sackcloth: 
I  afflicted  my  soul  with  fasting; 
And  my  prayer  returned  into  mine  own  bosom. 


PSALM   XXXV.  I25 

14.  I  behaved  myself  as  though  it  had  been  my  friend  or 

my  brother: 
I  bowed  down  mourning,  as  one  that  bewaileth  his 
mother. 

15.  But  in  mine  adversity  they  rejoiced,  and  gathered  them- 

selves together: 
The  abjects  gathered  themselves  together  against  me, 

and  I  knew  it  not; 
They  did  tear  me,  and  ceased  not: 

16.  Like  the  profane  mockers  in  feasts, 
They  gnashed  upon  me  with  their  teeth. 

17.  Lord,  how  long  wilt  thou  look  on? 
Rescue  my  soul  from  their  destructions, 
My  darling  from  the  lions. 

18.  I  will  give  thee  thanks  in  the  great  assembly: 
I  will  praise  thee  among  much  people. 

19.  Let  not  them  that  are  mine  enemies  wrongfully  rejoice 

over  me; 
Neither  let  them  wink  with  the  eye  that  hate  me  without 
a  cause. 

20.  For  they  speak  not  peace, 

But  they  devise  deceitful  wTords  against  them  that  are 
quiet  in  the  land. 

21.  Yea,  they  opened  their  mouth  wide  against  me; 
They  said,  Aha,  aha,  our  eye  hath  seen  it. 

22.  Thou  hast  seen  it,  O  Jehovah;  keep  not  silence: 
O  Lord,  be  not  far  from  me. 

23.  Stir  up  thyself,  and  awake  to  the  justice  due  unto  me, 
Even  unto  my  cause,  my  God  and  my  Lord. 

24.  Judge   me,    O    Jehovah  my   God,   according  to  thy 

righteousness; 
And  let  them  not  rejoice  over  me. 

25.  Let  them  not  say  in  their  heart,  Aha,  so  would  we  have 

it: 
Let  them  not  say,  We  have  swallowed  him  up. 

26.  Let  them  be  put  to  shame  and  confounded  together  that 

rejoice  at  my  hurt: 
Let  them  be  clothed  with  shame  and  dishonor  that 
magnify  themselves  against  me. 


126  PSALM   XXXV. 

27.  Let  them  shout  for  joy,  and  be  glad,  that  favor  my 

righteous  cause: 
Yea,  let  them  say  continually,  Jehovah  be  magnified, 
Who  hath  pleasure  in  the  prosperity  of  his  servant. 

28.  And  my  tongue  shall  talk  of  thy  righteousness 
And  of  thy  praise  all  the  day  long. 


Psalm  XXXV. 

1-3.  In  these  passages  by  fighting,  taking  hold  of  shield 
and  buckler,  and  drawing  out  the  spear  is  not  signified  to 
use  those  arms  of  war,  since  they  are  spoken  of  concerning 
Jehovah.  It  is  so  said,  because  all  the  arms  of  war  sig- 
nify such  things  as  appertain  to  spiritual  war.  By  a 
shield,  since  it  defends  the  head,  is  signified  defence 
against  falses  which  destroy  the  understanding  of  truth. 
By  a  buckler,  since  it  defends  the  breast,  is  signified  de- 
fence against  the  falses  which  destroy  charity,  which  is  the 
will  of  good.  By  a  spear,  since  it  defends  all  parts  of  the 
body,  is  signified  defence  in  general.  By  reason  of  such 
things  it  is  added,  "say  to  my  soul,  I  am  thy  salvation." 

E.  734- 

1-9.  The  combats  of  the  Lord  against  the  hells,  and  their 
subjugation  and  overthrow.  P.  P. 

2,  3.     See  Psalm  v.  13.  R.  436. 

7,  8,  17.  The  state  of  consummation  of  the  Israelitish 
church  is  described  in  both  the  historical  and  prophetic 
parts  of  the  Word.  The  vastation,  desolation  and  con- 
summation of  that  church  are  still  further  mentioned  in 
Isaiah  ix.  12-20;  xxii.  4-14:  Jeremiah  vii.  31-34:  Psalm 
lxxiii.  17-19;  lxxiv.  3,  etc.  Coro.  59. 

The  last  of  the  consummation  was  accomplished  when 
the  Lord  cried  out  upon  the  cross,  " It  is  consummated" — 
finished.  D.  P.,  Page  ^. 

8,  17.  Let  destruction  come  upon  him  at  unawares,  and 
into  destruction  let  him  fall.  Lord  rescue  my  soul  from 
destruction.  D.  P.,  Page  32. 


PSALM   XXXV.  127 

9,  10.  It  is  manifest  that  bones  in  the  spiritual  sense  are 
the  intellectual  proprium.  A.  3812. 

10.  In  the  Word  the  proprium,  and  indeed  a  proprium 
vivified  by  the  Lord,  is  signified  by  bones.  A.  149. 

Bones  stand  for  scientific  truths.  The  needy  in  this 
passage  mean  those  who  are  in  little  truth,  and  the  poor 
those  who  are  in  little  of  good,  and  are  infested  by  evil  and 
falses.  From  those  infestations  also  the  needy  are  called 
afflicted  in  the  original  tongue,  for  to  be  afflicted  is  to  be 
infested  by  falses.  A.  9209. 

See  Psalm  ix.  19.  R.  209. 

See  Psalm  ix.  19.  E.  238. 

10-16.  They  purpose  putting  Him  to  death  for  desiring 
their  good,  which  causes  Him  grief.  P.  P. 

13.  The  bosom  is  man's  very  self,  thus  his  proprium,  and 
hence  appropriation  and  conjunction  by  love.  My 
prayer  shall  return  unto  mine  own  bosom,  meaning  that 
it  would  return  to  himself.  A.  6960. 

See  Psalm  xxx.  12.  R.  492. 

See  Psalm  xxx.  12.  E.  637. 

13,  25.  Soul  is  used  to  denote  the  life  of  the  spirit  of  man, 
which  is  called  his  spiritual  life.  E.  750. 

14,  By  the  lame  in  the  Word  are  also  signified  those  who 
are  in  no  good,  and  thence  in  no  truth.  A.  4302. 

In  the  churches  before  the  advent  of  the  Lord,  which 
were  representative  churches,  mourning  represented  spir- 
itual grief  of  mind  arising  from  the  want  of  truth  and  good, 
for  mourning  was  on  account  of  oppression  by  an  enemy, 
for  the  death  of  a  father  or  mother,  and  other  things  of  a 
similar  nature.  E.  372. 

15,  16.  Since  sensual  men  do  not  see  any  truth  in  its  light, 
but  argue  and  wrangle  about  everything  as  to  whether  it 
is  so,  and  these  altercations  in  the  hells  are  heard  out  of 
them  as  gnashings  of  teeth,  which  in  themselves  are  the 
collisions  of  falsity  and  truth,  it  is  manifest  what  is  meant 
by  gnashing  of  teeth.  R.  435. 


128  PSALM   XXXV. 

16  By  gnashing  of  teeth  are  understood  the  effort  and  act 
of  destroying  truths  by  falsities,  for  the  teeth  signify  fal- 
sities in  the  extremes,  and  gnashing  signifies  the  vehemence 
of  combating  for  them.  This  effort  and  act  are  also  from 
correspondences.  E.  556. 

17,  18.  Real  confession  of  the  heart,  because  it  is  from 
celestial  love,  is  in  a  genuine  sense  confession.  The  man 
who  is  in  this  confession  acknowledges  that  all  good  is 
from  the  Lord,  and  that  all  evil  is  from  himself.  I  will 
confess  to  thee  —  give  thee  thanks  —  in  the  great  con- 
gregation. A.  3880. 
Prayer  that  He  may  be  preserved  from  them,  whence 
He  will  have  joy.  P.  P. 
19.     See  John  xv.  25  —  where  the  sense  is  the  same. 

A.  6752. 

That  all  things  of  the  Word  are  meant  by  the  law  in  the 

widest  sense  may  be  evident  from  John  xv.  25  "  they  hated 

me  without  a  cause."     This  is  written  in  Psalm  xxxv.  19. 

L.  10. 

That  the  Lord  fulfilled  all  things  of  the  Word  is  manifest 

from  the  passages  where  it  is  said  that  the  Law  and  the 

Scripture  were  fulfilled  by  Him,  and  that  all  things  were 

finished,  as  from  John  xv.  25,  this  is  written  in  Psalm 

xxxv.  19.  T.  262. 

By  the  law  in  the  broadest  sense  is  meant  the  whole 

Wrord.     See  previous  paragraph  under  T.  262.       T.  288. 

19-21,  25.     They  blaspheme  Him.  P.  P. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  1.  R.  624. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  1.  E.  866. 

From  His  Divine  He  will  overcome  them.       P.  P. 

See  Psalm  xxvii.  9.  E.  409. 

Hence  the  justice  of  the  Lord  will  be  praised  in 

P.  P. 
28.  Here  also  by  the  tongue  is  signified  confession  from  the 
doctrine  of  the  church,  for  it  is  said  that  it  meditates  — 
speaks,  —  righteousness  is  predicated  of  the  good,  and 
praise  of  the  truth  thereof.  E.  455. 


20, 

21. 

22, 

23. 

27. 

27, 

28. 

song. 

PSALM   XXXVI.  I29 

PSALM  XXXVI. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  David  the  servant  of  Jehovah. 

i.     The  transgression  of  the  wicked  saith  within  my  heart, 
There  is  no  fear  of  God  before  his  eyes. 

2.  For  he  flattereth  himself  in  his  own  eyes, 

That  his  iniquity  will  not  be  found  out  and  be  hated. 

3.  The  words  of  his  mouth  are  iniquity  and  deceit: 
He  hath  ceased  to  be  wise  and  to  do  good. 

4.  He  deviseth  iniquity  upon  his  bed; 

He  setteth  himself  in  a  way  that  is  not  good; 
He  abhorreth  not  evil. 

5.  Thy  lovingkindness,  O  Jehovah,  is  in  the  heavens; 
Thy  faithfulness  reacheth  unto  the  skies. 

6.  Thy  righteousness  is  like  the  mountains  of  God; 
Thy  judgments  are  a  great  deep: 

O  Jehovah,  thou  preservest  man  and  beast. 

7.  How  precious  is  thy  lovingkindness,  O  God! 

And  the  children  of  men  take  refuge  under  the  shadow 
of  thy  wings. 

8.  They  shall  be  abundantly  satisfied  with  the  fatness  of 

thy  house; 
And  thou  wilt  make  them  drink  of  the  river  of  thy 
pleasures. 

9.  For  with  thee  is  the  fountain  of  life: 
In  thy  light  shall  we  see  light. 

10.  Oh  continue  thy  lovingkindness  unto  them  that  know 

thee, 
And  thy  righteousness  to  the  upright  in  heart. 

1 1 .  Let  not  the  foot  of  pride  come  against  me, 

And  let  not  the  hand  of  the  wicked  drive  me  away. 

12.  There  are  the  workers  of  iniquity  fallen: 

They  are  thrust  down,  and  shall  not  be  able  to  rise. 


PSALM    XXXVI. 


Psalm  XXXVI. 


1-5.     Respecting  hypocrites,  that  they  think  evil.         P.  P. 

2.     "  Within  my  heart."     See  Psalm  v.  10.  R.  44. 

See  Psalm  v.  10.  E.  313. 

4.     See  Psalm  v.  7.  R.  624. 

See  Jeremiah  ix.  4,  5.     By  the  lips  and  tongue  with 

which  they  speak  a  lie  and  guile  is  signified  the  thought 

with  intention  of  persuading  falses  against  truths,  and  of 

seducing,  for  the  lips  and  tongue  signify  the  same  as  the 

mouth.  E.  866. 

4,  5.     See  Psalm  iv.  4.  R.  137. 

6.         See  Psalm  xxv.  10.  A.  6180. 

They  who  are  in  the  Lord's  spiritual  kingdom  speak  of 

favor  or  grace,  and  they  who  are  in  the  Lord's  celestial 

kingdom  speak  of  mercy.     Mercy  is  love,  and  truth  is 

faith.  A.  10577. 

The  Lord  in  the  angelic  heaven  is  a  sun,  and  the  Divine 

truth  proceeding  from  the  Lord  as  a  sun  presents  all  the 

light  there.     By  the  air  the  light  of  truth  is  understood, 

for  the  air  gives  light  from  the  sun.     The  same  is  signified 

by  the  terms  clouds,  or  ethers.     Mercy  signifies  the  Divine 

good  of  the  Divine  love,  and  truth  the  Divine  truth. 

E.  541. 
6,  7*     Here  both  mercy  and  justice  are  in  like  manner  of 
love,  and  truths  and  judgments  are  of  faith.         A.  2235. 
See  Psalm  xv.  2.  A.  9263. 

In  these  passages  judgments  —  righteousness  —  stands 
for  Divine  truth.  A.  9857. 

Since  government  from  good,  such  as  it  is  in  the  Lord's 
celestial  kingdom,  is  called  justice,  and  government  from 
truth,  such  as  it  is  in  the  Lord's  spiritual  kingdom,  is 
called  judgment,  therefore  in  the  Word  justice  and  judg- 
ment are  mentioned  where  heaven  and  the  church  are 
treated  of.  By  justice  is  signified  celestial  good,  and  by 
judgment  spiritual  good,  winch  is  in  its  essence  truth. 

H.  216. 


PSALM   XXXVI.  131 

Justice  is  predicated  of  Divine  good,  wherefore  it  is 
compared  to  the  mountains  of  God,  for  by  mountains  of 
God  are  signified  the  goods  of  love.  Judgments  are  pred- 
icated of  Divine  truths,  wherefore  they  are  compared  to  a 
great  abyss  for  by  it  is  signified  Divine  truth.  E.  946. 

6-10.  It  ought  to  be  acknowledged  that  all  good  and  truth 
is  from  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

7.     Man  and  beast  stands  for  interior  and  exterior  good. 

A.  7523- 

The  reason  that  judgment  and  justice  are  mentioned  so 
many  times  in  the  Word  is  that  judgment  is  predicated  of 
truth  and  justice  of  good.  These  repetitions,  as  of  the 
same  tiling,  are  on  account  of  the  marriage  of  good  and 
truth.  S.  85. 

Heaven  and  the  church,  where  are  love  to  the  Lord  and 
love  towards  the  neighbor,  and  thus  where  the  Lord  is, 
are  signified  by  mountains  and  hills.  R.  336. 

By  man  and  beast  together  is  signified  man  as  to  spir- 
itual and  natural  affection.  R.  567. 

Justice  has  relation  to  the  good  of  truth,  and  judgment 
to  the  truth  of  good.  R.  668. 

Since  in  the  Word  justice  is  predicated  of  love,  and 
judgment  of  wisdom,  therefore  some  passages  shall  be 
adduced  to  prove  that  the  government  of  God  is  effected 
in  the  world  by  means  of  those  two.  See  Psalm  lxxxix. 
14,  15:  Jeremiah  ix.  24:  Isaiah  xxxiii.  5:  Amos  v.  24: 
Psalm  lxxii.  2,  etc.  T.  51. 

Because  righteousness  or  justice  in  the  Word  is  predi- 
cated of  good,  and  judgment  of  truth,  it  is  said  that  the 
righteousness  of  Jehovah  is  like  the  great  mountains,  and 
His  judgments  are  a  great  deep.  The  great  mountains 
signify  the  good  of  charity,  and  the  great  deep  signifies 
truths  in  common,  which  are  called  truths  of  faith. 

E.  405. 

By  depths  are  also  signified  Divine  truths  in  abundance, 
and  the  arcana  of  Divine  wisdom.  E.  538. 


132  PSALM   XXXVI. 

By  man  and  beast  is  signified  the  interior  affection  which 
is  spiritual,  whence  intelligence  is  derived,  and  the  exterior 
affection  which  is  natural,  whence  comes  science  corre- 
sponding to  intelligence.  E.  650. 
8.     See  Psalm  xvii.  8.                                                   A.  8764. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  8.  R.  245. 

"  How  excellent  —  precious  —  is  thy  lovingkindness  " 
the  holy  things  of  the  church  are  signified  by  things  costly 
or  precious.     See  Deuteronomy  xxxiii.  13-15.         R.  789. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  8.  E.  283. 

8,  9.  Fatness  evidently  stands  for  good,  for  it  is  said  in 
Jeremiah  xxxi.  13,  14,  that  their  soul  shall  be  satisfied,  and 
it  is  called  the  good  of  Jehovah,  which  is  nothing  else  than 
the    celestial  which  is  from  Him.  A.  5943. 

9.  Fat  things  signify  celestial  goods  and  their  affections, 
and  the  enjoyments  of  their  affections.  R.  782. 

By  the  fatness  with  which  the  houses  shall  be  filled  is 
signified  the  good  of  love  and  the  satisfaction  thence  de- 
rived. Houses  stand  for  things  of  the  mind.  By  the 
river  of  the  delights  of  which  they  shall  drink  is  signified 
intelligence  and  the  happiness  thence  derived.  E.  n  59. 
9,  10.  Fatness  and  the  fountain  of  life  stand  for  the  celes- 
tial, which  is  love,  the  river  of  thy  pleasure  and  light,  for 
the  spiritual  which  is  faith  from  love.  A.  353. 

By  "living  fountains  of  water"  —  Revelation  vii.  17, 
the  Lord  and  also  the  Word  are  signified.  By  waters 
truths  are  signified.  By  Divine  truths  of  the  Word  — 
when  they  are  made  of  the  life  which  is  done  when  one 
lives  according  to  them  —  conjunction  with  the  Lord  is 
effected.  By  leading  them  to  the  living  fountains  of  water 
is  signified  to  lead  by  the  truths  of  the  Word  to  conjunction 
with  the  Lord.  R.  384. 

By  fatness  is  signified  the  good  of  love,  and  by  the  river 
of  pleasures  truths  from  that  good.  To  make  them  drink 
means  to  teach.  With  thee  is  the  fountain  of  life  signifies 
that  with  the  Lord  and  from  Him  there  is  Divine  truth. 


PSALM   XXXVII.  I33 

Since  this  is  signified  by  the  fountain  of  life  it  is  therefore 

added  "  in  thy  light  shall  we  see  light,"  for  the  light  of  the 

Lord  is  Divine  truth.  E.  483. 

10.     See  Psalm  xxvii.  13.  A.  290. 

See  Psalm  xxvii.  13.  A.  3623. 

The  light  which  is  life  from  the  Lord  in  heaven  is  there 

called  Divine  truth,  since  it  affords  light  to  the  minds  of 

those  who  are  there,  and  hence  appears  as  light  before  their 

eyes.  E.  186. 

Since  the  Lord  is  life  and  every  man  is  a  recipient  of  life 

from  Him,  therefore  also  He  teaches  that  He  gives  life 

and  vivifies  —  see  John  v.  21.     Hence  also  God  is  called 

a  fountain  of  life.  E.  11 20. 

Those  who  acknowledge  the  Lord  possess  all  good  and 

truth.  P.  P. 

12.     The  Lord  protects  from  evil,  and  the  evil  perish. 

P.  P. 


PSALM  XXXVII. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 


i.     Fret  not  thyself  because  of  evil-doers, 

Neither  be  thou  envious  against  them  that  work  un- 
righteousness. 

2.  For  they  shall  soon  be  cut  down  like  the  grass, 
And  wither  as  the  green  herb. 

3.  Trust  in  Jehovah,  and  do  good; 

Dwell  in  the  land,  and  feed  on  his  faithfulness. 

4.  Delight  thyself  also  in  Jehovah; 

And  he  will  give  thee  the  desires  of  thy  heart. 

5.  Commit  thy  way  unto  Jehovah; 

Trust  also  in  him,  and  he  will  bring  it  to  pass. 

6.  And  he  will  make  thy  righteousness  to  go  forth  as  the 

light, 
And  thy  justice  as  the  noonday. 


134 


PSALM   XXXVII. 


7.  Rest  in  Jehovah,  and  wait  patiently  for  him: 

Fret  not  thyself  because  of  him  who  prospereth  in 

his  way, 
Because  of  the  man  who  bringeth  wicked  devices  to 

pass. 

8.  Cease  from  anger,  and  forsake  wrath: 

Fret  not  thyself,  it  tendeth  only  to  evil-doing. 

9.  For  evil-doers  shall  be  cut  off; 

But  those  that  wait  for  Jehovah,  they  shall  inherit  the 
land. 

10.  For  yet  a  little  while,  and  the  wicked  shall  not  be: 
Yea,  thou  shalt  diligently  consider  his  place,  and  he 

shall  not  be. 

11.  But  the  meek  shall  inherit  the  land, 

And  shall  delight  themselves  in  the  abundance  of  peac^. 

12.  The  wicked  plotteth  against  the  just, 
And  gnasheth  upon  him  with  his  teeth. 

13.  The  Lord  will  laugh  at  him; 

For  he  seeth  that  his  day  is  coming. 

14.  The  wicked  have  drawn  out  the  sword,  and  have  bent 

their  bow, 
To  cast  down  the  poor  and  needy, 
To  slay  such  as  are  upright  in  the  way. 

15.  Their  sword  shall  enter  into  their  own  heart, 
And  their  bows  shall  be  broken. 

16.  Better  is  a  little  that  the  righteous  hath 
Than  the  abundance  of  many  wicked. 

17.  For  the  arms  of  the  wicked  shall  be  broken; 
But  Jehovah  upholdeth  the  righteous. 

18.  Jehovah  knoweth  the  days  of  the  perfect; 
And  their  inheritance  shall  be  for  ever. 

19.  They  shall  not  be  put  to  shame  in  the  time  of  evil; 
And  in  the  days  of  famine  they  shall  be  satisfied. 

20.  But  the  wicked  shall  perish, 

And  the  enemies  of  Jehovah  shall  be  as  the  fat  of  lambs: 
They  shall  consume;  in  smoke  shall  they  consume 
away. 

21.  The  wicked  borroweth,  and  payeth  not  again; 
But  the  righteous  dealeth  graciously,  and  giveth. 


PSALM   XXXVII. 


135 


22.  For  such  as  are  blessed  of  him  shall  inherit  the  land; 
And  they  that  are  cursed  of  him  shall  be  cut  off. 

23.  A  man's  goings  are  established  of  Jehovah; 
And  he  delighteth  in  his  way. 

24.  Though  he  fall,  he  shall  not  be  utterly  cast  down; 
For  Jehovah  upholdeth  him  with  his  hand. 

25.  I  have  been  young,  and  now  am  old; 

Yet  have  I  not  seen  the  righteous  forsaken, 
Nor  his  seed  begging  bread. 

26.  All  the  day  long  he  dealeth  graciously,  and  lendeth; 
And  his  seed  is  blessed. 

27.  Depart  from  evil,  and  do  good; 
And  dwell  for  evermore. 

28.  For  Jehovah  loveth  justice, 
And  forsaketh  not  his  saints; 
They  are  preserved  for  ever: 

But  the  seed  of  the  wicked  shall  be  cut  off. 

29.  The  righteous  shall  inherit  the  land, 
And  dwell  therein  for  ever. 

30.  The  mouth  of  the  righteous  talketh  of  wisdom, 
And  his  tongue  speaketh  justice. 

31.  The  law  of  his  God  is  in  his  heart; 
None  of  his  steps  shall  slide. 

32.  The  wicked  watcheth  the  righteous, 
And  seeketh  to  slay  him. 

33.  Jehovah  will  not  leave  him  in  his  hand, 
Nor  condemn  him  when  he  is  judged. 

34.  Wait  for  Jehovah,  and  keep  his  way, 
And  he  will  exalt  thee  to  inherit  the  land: 
When  the  wicked  are  cut  off,  thou  shalt  see  it. 

35.  I  have  seen  the  wicked  in  great  power, 

And  spreading  himself  like  a  green  tree  in  its  native  soil. 

36.  But  one  passed  by,  and,  lo,  he  was  not: 

Yea,  I  sought  him,  but  he  could  not  be  found. 

37.  Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the  upright; 
For  there  is  a  happy  end  to  the  man  of  peace. 

38.  As  for  transgressors,  they  shall  be  destroyed  together: 
The  end  of  the  wicked  shall  be  cut  off. 

39.  But  the  salvation  of  the  righteous  is  of  Jehovah: 
He  is  their  stronghold  in  the  time  of  trouble. 


I36  PSALM   XXXVII. 

40.     And  Jehovah  helpeth  them,  and  rescueth  them: 

He  rescueth  them  from  the  wicked,  and  saveth  them, 
Because  they  have  taken  refuge  in  him. 


Psalm   XXXVII. 

General  Subject.  Comparison  of  the  lot  of  the  evil 
with  the  lot  of  the  good.  P.  P. 

I.  By  the  zeal  of  Jehovah,  and  by  a  zealous  God  is  meant 
in  the  genuine  sense  love  and  mercy,  but  in  a  sense  not 
genuine,  such  as  is  seen  by  those  who  are  in  evils  and  fal- 
sities, anger  and  vastation  are  signified.  A.  8875. 

1,  2,  8-10,  12-15,  *7,  20,  21,  28,  32,  35,  36,  38.  Although 
the  evil  nourish  for  a  short  time,  yet  they  perish,  and  are 
cast  down  into  hell.  P.  P. 

2.  The  grass  and  the  green  herbage  stand  for  what  is  most 
vile.  A.  996. 

By  green  grass  in  the  Word  is  signified  that  good  and 
truth  of  the  church  or  of  faith,  which  first  springs  up  in 
the  natural  man.  By  all  the  green  grass  being  burnt  up 
—  Revelation  viii.  7  —  is  signified  that  every  living  thing 
of  faith  perished,  and  every  living  thing  of  faith  perishes 
when  there  is  no  affection  for  good,  and  perception  of 
truth.  R.  401. 

When  truth  and  good  which  come  from  heaven  do  not 
find  a  receptacle  with  man  in  knowledges  and  scientifics, 
but  in  evils  and  falsities  which  are  from  hell,  then  scien- 
tifics are  not  alive  but  dead,  and  correspond  to  grass 
withered  and  burnt  up.  E.  507. 

3-7,  11,  16,  18,  19,  22-31,  34,  37,  39,  40.  The  good  are 
saved  by  the  Lord,  and  taken  up  into  heaven.  P.  P. 

6.  "  Thy  judgment  as  the  noon-day "  —  as  the  south. 
The  south  signifies  the  intelligence  which  is  procured  by 
knowledges.  The  knowledges  are  celestial  and  spiritual 
truths  which  are  so  many  radiations  of  light  in  heaven. 

A.  1458. 


PSALM   XXXVII. 


137 


Judgment  and  judgments  stand  for  Divine  truth. 

A.  9857. 

See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  S.  85. 

The  Divine  love  and  the  Divine  wisdom  are  understood 

in  the  Word  by  justice  and  judgment,  the  Divine  love  by 

justice,  and  the  Divine  wisdom  by  judgment,  wherefore 

in  the  Word  justice  and  judgment  are  predicated  of  God. 

W.  38. 
See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  R.  668. 

See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  T.  51. 

11,  37.     See  Psalm  iv.  7-9.  R.  306. 

By  the  meek  or  afflicted  are  here  meant  those  who  are 
in  temptations  in  the  world.  By  the  abundance  of  peace 
in  which  they  shall  delight  themselves  are  signified  the 
delights  which  succeed  temptations,  for  after  temptations 
there  are  given  delights  from  the  Lord  by  virtue  of  the 
conjunction  of  good  and  truth  at  the  time,  and  of  con- 
junction with  the  Lord  thence  derived.  E.  365. 

12.  See  Psalm  xxxv.  15,  16.  R.  435. 
See  Psalm  xxxv.  15,  16.  E.  556. 

14.     See  Psalm  ix.  19.  R.  209. 

By  the  miserable  and  poor  are  here  also  understood 
they  who  are  spiritually  such,  but  yet  desire  the  knowledge 
of  truth  and  good.  This  is  evident,  for  it  is  said  that  the 
wicked  have  drawn  out  the  sword,  and  have  bent  their 
bow.  The  sword  signifies  what  is  false  combating  against 
truth  and  endeavoring  to  destroy  it.  Their  bow  the  false 
doctrine  against  the  doctrine  of  truth,  wherefore  it  is  said 
that  they  do  this  to  cast  down  the  miserable  and  poor. 

E.  238. 

14,  15.  By  the  sword  is  signified  falsity  combating  against 
truth,  and  by  bow  the  doctrine  of  what  is  false.  To  cast 
down  the  poor  and  needy  signifies  to  pervert  those  who 
are  in  ignorance  of  truth  and  good.  E.  357. 

16-34.  The  just  one  is  thus  described.  These  things  are 
the  good  of  charity  which  are  the  just.     That  those  goods 


1^8  PSALM    XXXVII. 

of  charity  are  from  the  Lord,  so  that  they  are  of  the  Lord 
with  man,  is  known  to  the  church.  A.  9263. 

18.  19.     See  Psalm  xxxiii.  18,  ig.  R.  323. 
Here  the  days  of  the  upright  signify  the  states  of  those 

who  are  in  good  and  thence  in  truths,  or  who  are  in  charity 
and  thence  in  faith.  By  their  inheritance  being  for  ever 
is  signified  that  they  belong  to  the  Lord  alone  and  are  in 
heaven.  By  their  not  being  ashamed  in  the  time  of  evil 
is  signified  that  they  shall  conquer  when  they  are  tempted 
by  evils.  By  their  being  satisfied  in  the  day  of  famine  is 
signified  that  they  shall  be  supported  by  truths,  when  they 
are  tempted  and  infested  by  falsities.  The  time  of  evil 
and  the  day  of  famine  signify  states  of  temptations,  and 
temptations  are  from  evil  and  falsities.  E.  386. 

19.  The  days  of  famine  and  evil  time.         D.  P.,  Page  32. 

20.  The  falsities  of  lusts  welling  up  out  of  the  evil  loves  are 
also  described  in  the  Word  by  smoke  from  fire,  and  from 
a  furnace.     See  Genesis  xix.  28.  R.  422. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  9.  E.  494. 

Here  by  the  wicked  perishing,  and  the  enemies  of  Je- 
hovah being  consumed  into  smoke  is  signified  that  they 
shall  perish  by  the  falsities  of  evil.  They  are  called  wicked 
who  are  in  falsities,  and  enemies  who  are  in  evils.  Smoke 
stands  for  the  falsity  of  evil.  E.  539. 

21.  In  the  Word  where  mention  is  made  of  borrowing  and 
lending  it  signifies  to  be  instructed  and  to  instruct  from 
the  affection  of  charity.  It  is  charity  to  give  to  the  good, 
and  it  is  not  charity  to  give  to  the  evil  what  they  ask  and 
desire.  A.  9174- 

By  being  merciful  and  lending  is  described  the  state  of 
those  who  are  in  genuine  charity.  A.  9174- 

22.  By  benediction  or  blessing  when  predicated  of  man  is 
understood  nothing  else  but  the  reception  of  Divine  truth 
and  Divine  good,  because  in  them  are  contained  heaven 
and  eternal  happiness.  E.  340. 

30.     The  mouth  from  correspondence,  thus  in  the  spiritual 


PSALM   XXXVIII. 


139 


sense,  signifies  the  thought,  but  in  the  natural  sense  utter- 
ance or  enunciation.  Here  by  the  mouth  is  signified 
thought  from  the  affection,  for  thence  man  meditates  wis- 
dom, and  not  from  the  mouth  and  its  speech.  E.  580. 
35.  See  Psalm  xxxvii.  2  add:  that  by  green  or  growing 
green  is  signified  living  or  alive  is  manifest.             R.  401. 

By  green  is  signified  what  is  living  or  alive.  A  vegetable 
object  when  it  flourishes,  that  is,  whilst  it  as  it  were  lives 
is  green,  but  when  it  no  longer  flourishes,  or  as  it  were 
dies,  then  the  verdure  perishes.  E.  507. 

37.  He  is  called  just  who  does  good,  and  he  is  called  up- 
right who  does  truth  therefrom,  which  also  is  to  do  justice 
and  judgment.  Holiness  and  justice  are  the  celestial  of 
faith,  uprightness  and  judgment  are  the  spiritual  there- 
from. A.  612. 

Peace  in  the  supreme  sense  signifies  the  Lord,  and  in  a 
representative  sense  it  signifies  His  kingdom,  and  good 
from  the  Lord  therein,  thus  the  Divine  which  flows  into 
good,  or  into  affections  for  good,  which  also  causes  joy 
and  happiness  from  the  inmost.  A.  3780. 

See  Psalm  xxv.  21.  A.  9905. 

That  it  is  Divine  and  heavenly  peace  which  is  meant  by 
peace  in  the  Word,  may  be  evident  from  Isaiah  In.  7; 
liv.  10:  Jeremiah  xvi.  5;  xxv.  37:  Haggai  ii.  9,  etc. 

H.  287. 


PSALM  XXXVIII. 

A  Psalm  of  David,  to  bring  to  remembrance. 

i.     O  Jehovah,  rebuke  me  not  in  thy  wrath; 
Neither  chasten  me  in  thy  hot  displeasure. 

2.  For  thine  arrows  stick  fast  in  me, 
And  thy  hand  presseth  me  sore. 

3.  There  is  no  soundness  in  my  flesh  because  of  thine 

indignation; 
Neither  is  there  any  health  in  my  bones  because  of  my 
sin. 


140  PSALM   XXXVIII. 

4.  For  mine  iniquities  are  gone  over  my  head: 
As  a  heavy  burden  they  are  too  heavy  for  me. 

5.  My  wounds  are  loathsome  and  corrupt, 
Because  of  my  foolishness. 

6.  I  am  pained  and  bowed  down  greatly; 
I  go  mourning  all  the  day  long. 

7.  For  my  loins  are  filled  with  burning; 
And  there  is  no  soundness  in  my  flesh. 

8.  I  am  faint  and  sore  bruised: 

I  have  groaned  by  reason  of  the  disquietness  of  my 
heart. 

9.  Lord,  all  my  desire  is  before  thee; 
And  my  groaning  is  not  hid  from  thee. 

10.  My  heart  throbbeth,  my  strength  faileth  me: 

As  for  the  light  of  mine  eyes,  it  also  is  gone  from  me. 

11.  My  lovers  and  my  friends  stand  aloof  from  my  plague; 
And  my  kinsmen  stand  afar  off. 

12.  They  also  that  seek  after  my  life  lay  snares  for  me; 
And  they  that  seek  my  hurt  speak  mischievous  things, 
And  meditate  deceits  all  the  day  long. 

13.  But  I,  as  a  deaf  man,  hear  not; 

And  I  am  as  a  dumb  man  that  openeth  not  his  mouth. 

14.  Yea,  I  am  as  a  man  that  heareth  not, 
And  in  whose  mouth  are  no  reproofs. 

15.  For  in  thee,  O  Jehovah,  do  I  hope: 
Thou  wilt  answer,  O  Lord  my  God. 

16.  For  I  said,  Lest  they  rejoice  over  me: 

When    my    foot    slippeth,    they    magnify    themselves 
against  me. 

17.  For  I  am  ready  to  fall, 

And  my  sorrow  is  continually  before  me. 

18.  For  I  will  declare  mine  iniquity; 
I  will  be  sorry  for  my  sin. 

19.  But  mine  enemies  are  lively,  and  are  strong; 
And  they  that  hate  me  wrongfully  are  multiplied. 

20.  They  also  that  render  evil  for  good 

Are  adversaries  unto  me,  because  I  follow  the  thing  that 
is  good. 

21.  Forsake  me  not,  O  Jehovah: 

O  my  God,  be  not  far  from  me. 


PSALM  XXXVIII.  141 

22.    Make  haste  to  help  me, 
0  Lord,  my  salvation. 

Psalm  XXXVIII. 

i-il.  The  grievousness  of  the  Lord's  temptations  is 
described.  P.  P. 

4.  See  Psalm  iv.  7-9.  R.  306. 
They  alone  have  peace  who  are  in  good  and  thence  in 

truths,  and  not  those  who  are  in  evils  and  thence  in 
falsities.  E.  365. 

5.  6.  Because  stench  stands  for  that  which  is  of  aversion, 
in  the  Word  stench  is  used  to  express  aversion.  That 
they  who  are  in  evils  and  thence  in  falsities  carry  a  stench 
about  them  is  very  manifest  from  the  hells  which  are  called 
the  hells  of  corpses,  where  are  assassins,  and  those  who 
are  most  tenacious  of  revenge.  A.  7 161. 

A  boil  signifies  defilement  from  evils,  and  blains  the 
blasphemies  which  are  thence.  That  wounds  also  signify 
such  things  is  manifest  from  Isaiah  i.  6.  A.  7524. 

Sores  and  wounds  signify  evils  in  the  outmosts,  arising 
from  more  internal  evils,  which  are  lusts.  R.  678. 

Wounds  stand  for  the  evils  of  the  will,  which  are  evil 
works;  they  are  said  to  stink  and  be  corrupt  by  reason  of 
foolishness,  when  the  delight  of  the  will  and  of  the  thought 
thence  derived  is  to  do  them.  E.  962. 

5-8.  By  diseases  are  signified  the  corruptions  and  evils  of 
spiritual  life.  Therefore  by  the  various  kinds  of  diseases 
are  signified  also  the  various  kinds  of  corruptions  and 
evils  of  that  life.  A.  8364. 

6.  Stripe  in  the  original  tongue  is  expressed  by  a  term  which 
signifies  blackness  arising  from  a  collection  of  blood,  or 
of  gore.  Blood  in  the  internal  sense  is  the  truth  of  faith 
from  the  good  of  love,  and  in  the  opposite  sense  truth  fal- 
sified and  profaned.  Therefore  stripe  — wounds  or  bruises 
—  means  truth  injured  or  extinguished.  A.  9057. 


142  PSALM   XXXVIII. 

6,  12.  By  plagues  nothing  else  is  signified  but  spiritual 
plagues,  which  affect  men  as  to  their  soul,  and  destroy 
them.  R.  657. 

7.  See  Psalm  xxxv.  14.  E.  372. 

9.  See  Psalm  xxxii.  3.  R.  471. 
See  Psalm  xxxii.  3.  E.  601. 

10,  16-23.  Trust  in  the  Father  that  the  hells  will  not 
prevail.  P-  P- 

12,  13.,  Those  who  are  of  the  church  purpose  to  have  Him 
put  to  death.  P.  P. 

13,  See  Psalm  xi.  6.  A.  9348. 

14,  15.     He  bears  all  things  with  patience.  P.  P. 
16.        See  Psalm  xviii.  3,  29,  30,  32.                           A.  300. 


PSALM  XXXIX. 

For  the  Chief  Musician,  for  Jeduthun.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

1.  I  said,  I  will  take  heed  to  my  ways, 
That  I  sin  not  with  my  tongue: 

I  will  keep  my  mouth  with  a  bridle, 
While  the  wicked  is  before  me. 

2.  I  was  dumb  with  silence,  I  held  my  peace,  even  from 

good; 
And  my  sorrow  was  stirred. 

3.  My  heart  was  hot  within  me; 
While  I  was  musing  the  fire  burned; 
Then  spake  I  with  my  tongue: 

4.  Jehovah,  make  me  to  know  mine  end, 
And  the  measure  of  my  days,  what  it  is; 
Let  me  know  how  frail  I  am. 

5.  Behold,  thou  hast  made  my  days  as  handbreadths; 
And  my  life-time  is  as  nothing  before  thee: 

Surely  every  man  at  his  best  estate  is  altogether  vanity. 

[Selah 


PSALM   XXXIX.  I43 

Surely  every  man  walketh  in  a  vain  show; 

Surely  they  are  disquieted  in  vain: 

He  heapeth  up  riches,  and  knoweth  not  who  shall 

gather  them. 
And  now,  Lord,  what  wait  I  for  ? 
My  hope  is  in  thee. 

Deliver  me  from  all  my  transgressions: 
Make  me  not  the  reproach  of  the  foolish. 
I  was  dumb,  I  opened  not  my  mouth; 
Because  thou  didst  it. 

10.  Remove  thy  stroke  away  from  me: 

I  am  consumed  by  the  blow  of  thy  hand. 

1 1 .  When  thou  with  rebukes  dost  correct  man  for  iniquity, 
Thou  makest  his  beauty  to  consume  away  like  a  moth: 
Surely   every   man   is   vanity.  [Selah 

12.  Hear  my  prayer,  O  Jehovah,  and  give  ear  unto  my  cry; 
Hold  not  thy  peace  at  my  tears: 

For  I  am  a  stranger  with  thee, 

A  sojourner,  as  all  my  fathers  were. 

13.  Oh  spare  me,  that  I  may  recover  strength,  * 
Before  I  go  hence,  and  be  no  more. 


Psalm  XXXIX. 

1-4,  9-12.     The  Lord's  patience  in  the  state  of  temptations. 

P.  P. 

5,  6.  It  appears  as  if  by  these  words  the  times  of  life  only 
were  understood,  the  end  of  which  he  desired  to  know, 
and  that  those  times  pass  away  quickly,  but  in  the  spiritual 
sense  times  are  not  understood,  but  instead  thereof  states 
of  life.  Therefore  by  verse  5  is  signified  that  he  may 
know  the  state  of  his  life  and  the  quality  thereof,  thus  what 
quality  of  life  would  remain  with  him.  By  "behold, 
thou  hast  given  my  days  as  a  handbreadth"  is  signified 
that  the  quality  of  the  state  of  his  life  was  of  very  little 
moment.  "My  time  is  as  nothing  before  thee,"  signifies 
that  the  state  of  his  life  was  of  no  avail.     Time  and  day 


144  PSALM   XXXIX. 

in  the  Word  signify  states  of  life  as  to  truth  and  as  to  good, 
and  thence  as  to  intelligence  and  wisdom.  Consequently 
it  is  here  meant  that  both  the  latter  and  the  former  as  far 
as  they  were  from  himself  were  worth  nothing.       E.  629. 

5-8.     He  desires  the  end  of  the  temptations.  P.  P. 

11.  Plagues  signify  spiritual  plagues  which  affect  men  as 
to  their  souls  and  destroy  them,  which  are  evils  and 
falsities.  R.  657. 

13.  By  a  stranger  just  as  by  a  sojourner  is  signified  a  comer 
and  inhabitant  from  another  land,  but  by  a  stranger  are 
signified  those  who  were  instructed  in  the  truths  of  the 
church  and  who  received  those  truths,  by  sojourners  those 
who  were  not  willing  to  be  instructed  in  the  truths  of  the 
church,  because  they  were  not  willing  to  receive  them. 

A.  8002. 

13,  14.     Prayer  to  the  Father  that  He  be  not  forsaken. 

P.  P. 


2. 


PSALM  XL. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

I  waited  patiently  for  Jehovah; 

And  he  inclined  unto  me,  and  heard  my  cry. 

He  brought  me  up  also  out  of  a  horrible  pit,  out  of 

the  miry  clay; 
And  he  set  my  feet  upon  a  rock,  and  established  my 

goings. 

3.  And  he  hath  put  a  new  song  in  my  mouth,  even  praise 

unto  our  God: 
Many  shall  see  it,  and  fear, 
And  shall  trust  in  Jehovah. 

4.  Blessed  is  the  man  that  maketh  Jehovah  his  trust, 
And  respecteth  not  the  proud,  nor  such  as  turn  aside 

to  lies. 

5.  Many,  O  Jehovah  my  God,  are  the  wonderful  works 

which  thou  hast  done, 


PSALM   XL.  I45 

And  thy  thoughts  which  are  to  us-ward! 
They  cannot  be  set  in  order  unto  thee; 
If  I  would  declare  and  speak  of  them, 
They  are  more  than  can  be  numbered. 

6.  Sacrifice  and  offering  thou  hast  no  delight  in; 
Mine  ears  hast  thou  opened: 

Burnt-offering  and  sin-offering  hast  thou  not  required. 

7.  Then  said  I,  Lo,  I  am  come; 

In  the  roll  of  the  book  it  is  written  of  me: 

8.  I  delight  to  do  thy  will,  O  my  God; 
Yea,  thy  law  is  within  my  heart. 

9.  I  have  proclaimed  glad  tidings  of  righteousness  in  the 

great  assembly; 
Lo,  I  will  not  refrain  my  lips, 

0  Jehovah,  thou  knowest. 

10.  I  have  not  hid  thy  righteousness  within  my  heart; 

1  have  declared  thy  faithfulness  and  thy  salvation; 

I  have  not  concealed  thy  lovingkindness  and  thy  truth 
from  the  great  assembly. 

11.  Withhold  not  thou  thy  tender  mercies  from  me,   O 

Jehovah; 
Let  thy  lovingkindness  and  thy  truth  continually  pre- 
serve me. 

12.  For  innumerable  evils  have  compassed  me  about; 
Mine  iniquities  have  overtaken  me,  so  that  I  am  not 

able  to  look  up; 
They  are  more  than  the  hairs  of  my  head; 
And  my  heart  hath  failed  me. 

13.  Be  pleased,  O  Jehovah,  to  deliver  me: 
Make  haste  to  help  me,  O  Jehovah. 

14.  Let  them  be  put  to  shame  and  confounded  together 
That  seek  after  my  soul  to  destroy  it: 

Let  them  be  turned  backward  and  brought  to  dishonor 
That  delight  in  my  hurt. 

15.  Let  them  be  desolate  by  reason  of  their  shame 
That  say  unto  me,  Aha,  aha. 

16.  Let  all  those  that  seek  thee  rejoice  and  be  glad  in  thee: 
Let  such  as  love  thy  salvation  say  continually, 
Jehovah  be  magnified. 


146  PSALM  XL. 

17.     But  I  am  poor  and  needy; 

Yet  the  Lord  thinketh  upon  me: 
Thou  art  my  help  and  my  deliverer; 
Make  no  tarrying,  O  my  God. 


Psalm  XL. 

1-6.     Thanksgiving  and  celebration  of  the  Father,  that  He 

has  helped  Him.  P.  P. 

3.     A  pit  is  the  vastation  of  falsity,  and  in  the  abstract  sense 

falsity.  A.  4728. 

The  desolation  and  vastation  of  the  man  of  the  church, 
or  of  the  church  in  man,  was  represented  by  the  captivity 
of  the  Jewish  people  in  Babylon,  and  the  raising  up  of  the 
church  by  the  return  from  that  captivity,  as  described  in 
Jeremiah  throughout,  especially  chapter  xxxii.  37  to  the 
end.  Desolation  is  captivity,  man  then  being  kept  as  it 
were  bound,  wherefore  too  by  those  who  are  bound,  in 
prison,  and  in  a  pit  are  signified  those  who  are  in  des- 
olation. A.  5376. 

Clay  is  evil  from  which  is  falsity.  A.  6669. 

Jehovah  is  called  the  rock,  and  then  is  understood  the 
Lord  as  to  faith.  -  A.  8581. 

By  the  pit  of  devastation  is  signified  the  false  of  doc- 
trine, and  by  the  mire  of  clay  evil  of  life.  By  setting  his 
feet  upon  a  rock  is  signified  to  cause  him  to  live  according 
to  Divine  truths,  for  by  a  rock  is  also  signified  the  truth 
of  doctrine  from  the  Word,  and  in  the  supreme  sense  the 
Lord  as  to  Divine  truth.  E.  666. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  3,  32-47.  Inv.  35. 

3,  4.  It  is  evident  that  a  song  means  glorification  of  the 
Lord  on  account  of  liberation,  for  songs  involved  gladness 
of  heart,  and  exaltation  of  the  Lord  —  gladness  of  heart 
on  account  of  the  Lord's  coming  and  salvation  thereby, 
and  exaltation  on  account  of  victory  over  spiritual  enemies. 

A.  8261. 


PSALM   XL.  147 

7,  8.  From  these  passages  it  is  now  manifest  that  sacrifices 
were  not  commanded,  but  permitted,  also  that  nothing 
else  was  regarded  in  the  sacrifices  but  the  internal,  and 
that  it  was  the  internal,  not  the  external,  that  was  ac- 
ceptable. A.  2180. 
It  is  evident  that  presents  offered  to  the  Lord  were  testi- 
fications of  such  things  as  are  offered  by  the  heart,  which 
are  the  things  of  faith  and  charity.                          A.  9293. 

7-9.  He  came  into  the  world,  as  is  written  in  the  Word,  that 
He  might  do  the  will  of  the  Father.  P.  P. 

7.  9.  It  is  evident  what  sacrifices  and  burnt-offerings  are 
where  there  is  no  charity  and  faith.  See  Amos  v.  22,  24: 
Hosea  vi.  6.  A.  922. 

The  sons  of  Israel  would  have  believed  and  acted  alto- 
gether otherwise,  if  they  had  been  willing  to  receive  the 
doctrine  of  love  and  of  faith  to  the  Lord,  and  of  charity 
toward  the  neighbour.  In  this  case  they  would  have 
known  and  believed  that  burnt-offerings,  sacrifices,  meat- 
offerings, libations,  and  eating  of  sacrifices  did  not  purify 
them  from  any  guilt  or  sin,  but  that  they  were  purified  by 
the  worship  of  God,  and  repentance  from  the  heart. 

A.  9409. 

8.  The  Word  is  meant  by  the  book.  R.  256. 
Here  as  in  other  places  of  the  Word  where  a  book  is 

mentioned,  a  volume  or  scroll  is  thereby  understood,  for 
in  ancient  times  they  wrote  upon  parchments,  which  were 
rolled  together,  and  the  parchment  was  called  a  book. 

E.  299. 
Some  passages  concerning  the  coming  of  the  Lord  col- 
lected from  the  prophesies  of  the  Old  Word,  Genesis  iii. 
14,  15;  xlix.  10:  Numbers  xxiv.  17.  Coro.  60. 

9.  The  expression  good  pleasure  in  the  Hebrew  tongue 
also  signifies  will,  for  whatever  is  done  according  to  the 
will  is  well  pleasing.  To  do  the  good  pleasure  of  Jehovah 
God  signifies  to  live  according  to  His  precepts.  This  is 
His  good  pleasure  or  will  because  from  Divine  love  He 
wills  that  all  may  be  saved,  and  by  it  they  are  saved. 

E.  295. 


I48  PSALM   XL. 

By  the  bowels  —  inward  parts  —  are  signified  the  in- 
teriors of  the  thought.  E.  622. 

10,  11.  He  also  preached  the  gospel  of  the  kingdom  of 
God,  and  taught.  P.  P. 

12.     See  Psalm  xxv.  10.  A.  6180. 

13-16,  18.  Trust  from  His  Divine  against  those  who  pur- 
pose to  put  Him  to  death.  P.  P. 

17.  And  let  those  who  worship  the  Lord  rejoice  in  Him. 

P.  P. 

To  rejoice  and  to  be  glad  signifies  to  have  delight  of  the 
affection  of  the  heart  and  the  soul.  Delight  of  the  affec- 
tion of  the  heart  is  of  the  will,  and  delight  of  the  affection 
of  the  soul  is  of  the  understanding.  R.  507. 

To  rejoice  is  predicated  of  good  and  its  love  or  affection, 
and  to  be  glad  is  predicated  of  truth  and  of  its  love  or 
affection.  E.  660. 

18.  The  needy  denote  those  who  are  in  little  truth,  and  the 
poor  those  who  are  in  little  of  good,  and  are  infested  by 
evils  and  falses.     See  also  Psalm  xxxv.  10.  A.  9209. 

See  Psalm  ix.  19.  R.  209. 

By  the  miserable  and  poor  are  not  understood  those 
who  are  so  as  to  worldly  riches,  but  as  to  spiritual  riches, 
since  David  spoke  this  concerning  himself.  E.  238. 


PSALM  XLI. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     Blessed  is  he  that  considereth  the  poor: 
Jehovah  will  deliver  him  in  the  day  of  evil. 

2.  Jehovah  will  preserve  him,  and  keep  him  alive, 
And  he  shall  be  blessed  upon  the  earth; 

And  deliver  not  thou  him  unto  the  will  of  his  enemies. 

3.  Jehovah   will   support  him   upon   the   couch  of  lan- 

guishing: 
Thou  makest  all  his  bed  in  his  sickness. 

4.  I  said,  O  Jehovah,  have  mercy  upon  me: 
Heal  my  soul;  for  I  have  sinned  against  thee. 


PSALM    XLI.  149 

5.  Mine  enemies  speak  evil  against  me,  saying, 
When  will  he  die,  and  his  name  perish  ? 

6.  And  if  he  come  to  see  me,  he  speaketh  falsehood; 
His  heart  ga there th  iniquity  to  itself: 

When  he  goeth  abroad  he  telleth  it. 

7.  All  that  hate  me  whisper  together  against  me; 
Against  me  do  they  devise  my  hurt. 

8.  An  evil  disease,  say  they,  cleaveth  fast  unto  him; 
And  now  that  he  lieth  he  shall  rise  up  no  more. 

9.  Yea,  mine  own  familiar  friend,  in  whom  I  trusted, 
Who  did  eat  of  my  bread, 

Hath  lifted  up  his  heel  against  me. 

10.  But  thou,  O  Jehovah,  have  mercy  upon  me,  and  raise 

me  up, 
That  I  may  requite  them. 

11.  By  this  I  know  that  thou  delightest  in  me, 
Because  mine  enemy  doth  not  triumph  over  me. 

12.  And  as  for  me,  thou  upholdest  me  in  mine  integrity, 
And  settest  me  before  thy  face  for  ever. 

13.  Blessed  be  Jehovah,  the  God  of  Israel, 
From  everlasting  and  to  everlasting. 
Amen,  and  Amen. 


Psalm  XLI. 

1-4.     He  who  is  in  temptations,  and  consequent  afflictions, 
is  always  upheld,  and  thereby  vivified.  P.  P. 

3.  The  will  of  his  enemies  —  the  soul  of  his  enemies.     See 
Psalm  xvi.  10.  E.  750. 

4.  See  Psalm  iv.  4.  R.  137. 
4,  5.     See  Psalm  xxx.  2,  add:  Because  healing  has  this  sig- 
nification, the  Lord  also  calls  himself  a  physician. 

A.  8365. 

5-8.     The  hells  among  themselves  devise  evils  against  the 

Lord.  P.  P. 

9.  And  think  that  He  is  to  be  utterly  destroyed.  P.  P. 

10.  So  also  do  those  who  are  of  the  church  where  the  Word 
is.  P.  P. 


150  PSALM   XLI. 

This  is  spoken  concerning  the  Jews  who  were  in  pos- 
session of  Divine  truths,  because  they  had  the  Word. 

E.  617. 

11,  12.     They   will  not  succeed,   and  will  themselves   be 

destroyed.  P.  P. 

13,  14.     Perfection  belongs  to  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

14.  See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  A.  1096. 
That  the  Lord  as  to  the  Divine  natural  is  meant  by  the 

God  of  Israel  is  plain  from  many  passages  in  the  Word. 
See  Exodus  xxiv.  9,  10.  A.  7091. 

In  many  places  the  Lord  is  called  the  God  of  Israel. 
Isaiah  xvii.  6;  xxi.  10,  17:  Jeremiah  vii.  3;  ix.  15:  Ezekiel 
viii.  4,  etc.  L.  39. 

See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  R.  289. 

That  the  Lord  is  called  the  God  of  Israel  is  evident  also 
from  very  many  passages.  T.  93. 

Amen  signifies  verity,  thus  the  Lord  himself,  since 
when  He  was  in  the  world  He  was  Divine  truth  (verity) 
itself.  E.  228. 


PSALM  XLII. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     Maschil  of  the  sons  of  Korah. 

1.  As  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water  brooks, 
So  panteth  my  soul  after  thee,  O  God. 

2.  My  soul  thirsteth  for  God,  for  the  living  God: 
When  shall  I  come  and  appear  before  God  ? 

3.  My  tears  have  been  my  food  day  and  night, 

While  they  continually  say  unto  me,  Where  is  thy  God  ? 

4.  These  things  I  remember,  and  pour  out  my  soul  within 

me, 
How  I  went  with  the  throng,  and  led  them  to  the  house 

of  God, 
With  the  voice  of  joy  and  praise,  a  multitude  keeping 

holyday. 


PSALM  XLII.  I51 

5.  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul? 
And  why  art  thou  disquieted  within  me  ? 
Hope  thou  in  God;  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him 
For  the  help  of  his  countenance. 

6.  O  my  God,  my  soul  is  cast  down  within  me: 
Therefore  do  I  remember  thee  from  the  land  of  the 

Jordan, 
And  the  Hermons,  from  the  hill  Mizar. 

7.  Deep  calleth  unto  deep  at  the  noise  of  thy  waterfalls: 
All  thy  waves  and  thy  billows  are  gone  over  me. 

8.  Yet  Jehovah  will  command  his  lovingkindness  in  the 

day-time; 
And  in  the  night  his  song  shall  be  with  me, 
Even  a  prayer  unto  the  God  of  my  life. 

9.  I  will  say  unto  God  my  rock,  Why  hast  thou  forgotten 

me? 
Why  go  I  mourning  because  of  the  oppression  of  the 
enemy  ? 

10.  As  with  a  sword  in  my  bones,  mine  adversaries  re- 

proach me, 
While  they  continually  say  unto  me,  Where  is  thy  God  ? 

11.  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul? 
And  why  art  thou  disquieted  within  me  ? 
Hope  thou  in  God;  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him, 
Who  is  the  help  of  my  countenance,  and  my  God. 


Psalm  XLII. 

1-7.     The  state  of  grief  and  perturbation  of  the  Lord  from 
temptations,  with  trust  from  the  Divine.  P.  P. 

2.  Hart  is  here  affection  for  truth,  panting  for  the  water 
brooks  is  for  desiring  truths.  A.  6413. 

3.  To  thirst  signifies  to  desire  truths.  R.  956. 
3,  6.     See  Psalm  xxvii.  8,  9.                                         R.  939. 

In  these  passages  by  the  face  of  Jehovah,  by  His  pres- 
ence, His  countenance,  and  appearing  before  Him  are 
understood  the  interior  things  of  the  church,  of  the  Word, 
and  of  worship,  because  Divine  good  and  Divine  truth, 


152  PSALM   XLII, 

and  thus  the  Lord  himself  are  in  them,  and  from  them  in 
the  externals,  but  not  in  externals  without  them.  E.  412. 
5.  In  David  they  were  called  praises  and  thanksgivings 
that  were  made  upon  instruments.  See  also  Psalm 
xxxiii.  1-4.  A.  420. 

See  Psalm  vii.  18.  A.  3880. 

See  Psalm  vii.  18.  E.  326. 

7.  The  land  of  Jordan  stands  for  that  which  is  low,  and  so 
for  that  which  is  distant  from  the  celestial,  as  man's  ex- 
ternals are  from  his  internals.  A.  1585. 

Remembering  from  the  land  of  Jordan  means  from 
what  is  last  and  thus  from  what  is  low.  A.  4255. 

8.  Here  also  the  deep  manifestly  stands  for  the  extreme  of 
temptation.  A.  756. 

The  deeps  stand  for  the  hells  - —  Revelation  xi.  7  and 
xvii.  8  —  thus  also  for  falsities  from  lusts,  for  these  are  in 
the  hells  and  make  them.  Since  these  things  are  signified 
by  deeps,  by  them  are  also  signified  temptations,  for  temp- 
tations are  effected  by  falsities  and  evils  injected  from  the 
hells.  In  this  sense  it  is  written  in  David,  Psalm  xlii.  7 
and  Psalm  lxxi.  20.  A.  8278. 

In  these  passages  also  the  temptations  of  the  Lord  by 
which  He  subjugated  the  hells,  and  glorified  His  humanity 
whilst  in  the  world  are  described.  By  waves  and  billows 
are  signified  evils  and  falsities.  By  deeps,  the  depths  of 
the  earth  and  sea,  and  likewise  by  the  pit  and  the  deepest 
or  lowest  pit  —  Psalms  lxix.  1,  2-14,  15;  lxxi.  20;  lxxxviii. 
4-6  —  are  signified  the  hells  where  and  whence  those 
evils  and  falsities  are.  E.  538. 

8-1 1.     The  growing  grievousness  of  the  temptations  even 
to  despair.  P.  P. 

9,  10.     See  Psalm  xxxv.  14.  E.  372. 

By  "  God  my  rock  "  is  understood  the  Lord  as  to  Divine 

truth,  and  in  the  present  instance  as  to  defence.     E.  411. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  3,  32-47.  Inv.  35. 

12.     The  expression  "the  health  of  my  countenance"  sig- 


PSALM   XLIII.  153 

nines  all  things  within,  that  is  to  say,  all  things  of  the 
mind  and  affections,  consequently  all  things  pertaining 
to  love  and  faith,  which  on  account  of  their  saving  nature 
are  here  called  health,  the  health  of  the  countenance. 

E.  412. 
Confidence  from  the  Divine  that  He  will  be  raised  up. 

P.  P. 


PSALM  XLIII. 


1.  Judge  me,  O  God,  and  plead  my  cause  against  an  un- 

godly nation: 
Oh  deliver  me  from  the  deceitful  and  unjust  man. 

2.  For  thou  art  the  God  of  my  strength;  why  hast  thou 

cast  me  oft? 
Why  go  I  mourning  because  of  the  oppression  of  the 
enemy  ? 

3.  Oh  send  out  thy  light  and  thy  truth;  let  them  lead  me: 
Let  them  bring  me  unto  thy  holy  hill, 

And  to  thy  tabernacles. 

4.  Then  will  I  go  unto  the  altar  of  God, 
Unto  God  my  exceeding  joy; 

And  upon  the  harp  will  I  praise  thee,  O  God,  my  God. 

5.  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul? 
And  why  art  thou  disquieted  within  me  ? 
Hope  thou  in  God;  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him, 
Who  is  the  help  of  my  countenance,  and  my  God. 


Psalm  XLIII. 

I. 

See  Psalm  xxxvi. 

4- 

E.  866. 

h 

2.     Grievousness 
despair. 

of 

the 

Lord's 

temptations 

even   to 
P.  P. 

2. 

See  Psalm  xxxv. 

14. 

E.  372. 

3- 

See  Psalm  xxvi.  ', 

3. 

A.  9481. 

In  these  and  other  passages  the  Lord  is  called  light  from 
Divine  truth,  which  is  from  Him,  and  the  truth  itself  is 
also  called  light.  H.  129. 


154  PSALM   XLIII. 

3       See  Psalm  xv.  i.  E.  405. 

A  tent  signifies  the  church  with  regard  to  the  truth  of 
doctrine.  Heaven  and  the  church  as  to  the  doctrine  of 
the  good  of  love  were  signified  by  a  tabernacle,  and  the 
doctrine  of  truth  from  that  good  by  a  tent,  on  account  of 
the  holy  worship  by  the  most  ancient.  E.  799. 

3,  4.     Referring  to  knowledges  of  good  and  truth.     A.  420. 

Altar  stands  manifestly  for  the  Lord.  Thus  the  build- 
ing of  an  altar  in  the  ancient  and  in  the  Jewish  church 
was  for  a  representative  of  the  Lord.  A.  921. 

The  altar  upon  which  burnt-offerings  and  sacrifices 
were  offered  was  the  principal  representative  of  the  Lord, 
as  was  afterward  the  temple.  A.  2777. 

Heaven  is  called  the  habitation  of  God  from  this  con- 
sideration, that  the  Divine  of  the  Lord  dwells  there,  for 
it  is  the  Divine  truth  proceeding  from  the  Divine  good  of 
the  Lord  which  makes  heaven,  since  it  gives  life  to  the 
angels  who  are  there,  and  the  Lord  dwells  in  that  which 
is  from  himself  with  the  angels.  A.  9594. 

See  Psalm  xxvi.  6,  7.  A.  9714. 

See  Psalm  xxxiii.  2,  3.  R.  276. 

See  Psalm  xxvi.  6,  7.  R.  392. 

The  harp  signifies  confession  from  spiritual  truths. 
See  Psalm  xxxiii.  2-5.  -  E.  323. 

By  the  altar  of  God  is  here  understood  the  Lord  as  to 
His  Divine  human,  for  the  subject  treated  of  is  the  way 
to  heaven  and  to  the  Lord  there.  The  way  to  heaven  is 
understood  by  "  send  out  thy  light  and  thy  truth,  let  them 
lead  me"  light  meaning  illumination  in  which  truths  ap- 
pear. Heaven,  into  which  it  leads,  is  understood  by  "let 
them  bring  me  unto  thy  holy  hill,  and  to  thy  tabernacles." 
By  the  altar  of  God  is  understood  where  the  Lord  is  in 
the  good  of  love,  and  by  God  is  understood  where  the 
Lord  is  in  truth  of  that  good.  E.  391. 

Prayer  to  the  Father  that  Divine  truth  may  comfort 
Him.  P.  P. 


PSALM   XLIV.  155 

4.  Since  the  harp  signifies  confession  from  spiritual  truths, 
and  spiritual  truths  are  what  the  angels  are  affected  with 
who  are  in  the  Lord's  spiritual  kingdom,  —  which  also 
dissipate  falsities,  and  therewith  the  spirits  themselves 
who  are  in  them,  —  therefore  it  is  said  —  see  i.  Samuel 
xvi.  23.  E.  323. 

4,  5.  Harps  signify  confessions  of  the  Lord  from  spiritual 
truths.  R.  276. 

5.  See  Psalm  xlii.  12.  E.  412. 
Consolation.  P,  P. 

PSALM  XLIV. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah.     Maschil. 

1.  We  have  heard  with  our  ears,  O  God, 
Our  fathers  have  told  us, 

What  work  thou  didst  in  their  days, 
In  the  days  of  old. 

2.  Thou  didst  drive  out  the  nations  with  thy  hand; 
But  them  thou  didst  plant: 

Thou  didst  afflict  the  peoples; 
But  them  thou  didst  spread  abroad. 

3.  For  they  gat  not  the  land  in  possession  by  their  own 

sword, 
Neither  did  their  own  arm  save  them; 
But  thy  right  hand,  and  thine  arm,  and  the  light  of 

thy  countenance, 
Because  thou  wast  favorable  unto  them. 

4.  Thou  art  my  King,  O  God: 
Command  deliverance  for  Jacob. 

5.  Through  thee  will  we  push  down  our  adversaries: 
Through  thy  name  will  we  tread  them  under  that  rise 

up  against  us. 

6.  For  I  will  not  trust  in  my  bow, 
Neither  shall  my  sword  save  me. 

7.  But  thou  hast  saved  us  from  our  adversaries, 
And  hast  put  them  to  shame  that  hate  us. 

8.  In  God  have  we  made  our  boast  all  the  day  long, 
And  we  will  give  thanks  unto  thy  name  forever.     [Selah 


156  PSALM  XLIV. 

9.     But  now  thou  hast  cast  us  off,  and  brought  us  to  dis- 
honor, 
And  goest  not  forth  with  our  hosts. 

10.  Thou  makest  us  to  turn  back  from  the  adversary; 
And  they  that  hate  us  take  spoil  for  themselves. 

11.  Thou  hast  made  us  like  sheep  appointed  for  food, 
And  hast  scattered  us  among  the  nations. 

12.  Thou  sellest  thy  people  for  nought, 

And  hast  not  increased  thy  wealth  by  their  price. 

13.  Thou  makest  us  a  reproach  to  our  neighbors, 

A  scoffing  and  a  derision  to  them  that  are  round  about 
us. 

14.  Thou  makest  us  a  byword  among  the  nations, 
A  shaking  of  the  head  among  the  peoples. 

15.  All  the  day  long  is  my  dishonor  before  me, 
And  the  shame  of  my  face  hath  covered  me, 

16.  For  the  voice  of  him  that  reproacheth  and  blasphemeth, 
By  reason  of  the  enemy  and  the  avenger. 

17.  All  this  is  come  upon  us;  yet  have  we  not  forgotten 

thee, 
Neither  have  we  dealt  falsely  in  thy  covenant. 

18.  Our  heart  is  not  turned  back, 

Neither  have  our  steps  declined  from  thy  way, 

19.  That  thou  hast  sore  broken  us  in  the  place  of  jackals, 
And  covered  us  with  the  shadow  of  death. 

20.  If  we  have  forgotten  the  name  of  our  God, 
Or  spread  forth  our  hands  to  a  strange  god; 

21.  Will  not  God  seaich  this  out? 

For  he  knoweth  the  secrets  of  the  heart. 

22.  Yea,  for  thy  sake  are  we  killed  all  the  day  long; 
We  are  accounted  as  sheep  for  the  slaughter. 

23.  Awake,  why  sleepest  thou,  O  Lord? 
Arise,  cast  us  not  off  for  ever. 

24.  Wherefore  hidest  thou  thy  face, 

And  forgettest  our  affliction  and  our  oppression? 

25.  For  our  soul  is  bowed  down  to  the  dust: 
Our  body  cleaveth  unto  the  earth. 

26.  Rise  up  for  our  help, 

And  redeem  us  for  thy  lovingkindness'  sake. 


PSALM   XLIV.  157 

Psalm  XLIV. 

1-5.  The  church  was  established  by  the  Lord  among  the 
ancients,  evils  having  been  cast  out.  P.  P. 

2.  By  fathers  are  signified  those  who  were  of  the  ancient 
church.  A.  6075. 

3.  4.  The  light  of  the  countenance  of  Jehovah  is  Divine 
truth  from  Divine  good,  so  also  the  right  hand  and  arm. 

A.  8281. 

4.  It  is  said  thy  right  hand,  and  thy  arm,  and  the  light  of 
thy  faces  because  the  right  hand  stands  for  power,  the 
arm  for  strength,  and  the  light  of  faces  Divine  truth  from 
the  Divine  good.  A.  10019. 

5.  6.     See  Psalm  iii.  2,  3.  A.  10481. 

6.  Thrusting  one's  enemies  with  the  horn  —  push  down  — 
also  means  destroying  falsities  by  the  power  of  truth  and 
good  of  faith.  Who  cannot  see  that  in  these  passages  no 
mention  would  have  been  made  of  thrusting  with  the 
horn  as  done  by  men,  unless  by  the  signification  of  horns 
as  power.  A.  9081. 

By  treading  under  foot  in  these  passages  is. also  signified 
to  destroy.  E.  632. 

6-9.     This  was  done  by  God,  and  not  by  man.  P.  P. 

10,  11.  By  God  not  going  forth  with  their  armies  is  sig- 
nified that  He  did  not  defend  them,  because  they  were  in 
falsities  of  evil,  for  armies  stand  for  falsities  of  evil,  hence 
it  is  said  that  they  were  cast  off  and  put  to  shame,  and 
made  to  turn  back  from  the  enemy,  the  enemy  meaning 
evil  which  is  from  hell.  E.  573. 

10-13,  20.  Nevertheless  the  hells  now  prevail  against  Him 
as  if  there  were  no  Divine  presence,  whence  it  is  that  there 
is  no  church.  P.  P. 

12-14.  By  selling  and  being  sold  is  signified  to  alienate 
truths,  and  to  be  alienated  from  them,  and  to  accept  falses 
for  truths  and  be  captivated  thereby.  E.  840. 

14-17.     He  is  blasphemed  by  the  evil  of  the  church.    P.  P. 


158  PSALM   XLIV. 

15.  See  Psalm  xviii.  44.  S.  86. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  44.  T.  251. 

See  Psalm  xxxiii.  10.  E.  331. 

18-22.     Notwithstanding  that  perfection  is  His.  P.  P. 

19.  "The  heart  has  averted  itself  backwards."  In  the 
other  life  spirits  turn  themselves  according  to  their  loves. 
They  who  love  the  Lord  and  the  neighbour  look  contin- 
ually to  the  Lord,  .  .  .  but  they  who  love  themselves  and 
the  world  above  all  things  turn  away  the  face  from  the 
Lord,  and  turn  themselves  to  hell,  and  every  one  to  those 
there  who  are  in  a  similar  love  with  himself,  and  this  also 
in  every  turning  of  their  body.  A.  10420. 

19,  20.  That  those  are  here  meant  by  the  dragon  who  are 
in  faith  alone,  and  reject  the  works  of  the  law  as  not  sav- 
ing, has  been  several  times  attested  to  me  by  living  ex- 
perience in  the  spiritual  world.  R.  537. 
Treating  also  concerning  temptations.  That  he  was 
then  secluded  from  influx  out  of  heaven  like  the  sensual 
man,  so  as  not  to  perceive  what  was  good  and  what  was 
true,  is  signified  by  God  breaking  him  in  the  place  of 
dragons,  and  covering  him  with  the  shade  of  death,  the 
place  of  dragons  denoting  where  they  who  are  dragons  are 
in  hell,  namely,  who  have  destroyed  all  good  in  themselves. 
The  false  in  which  these  are  is  called  the  shade  of  death. 

E.  714. 

23.     He  is  so  treated  on  account  of  the  Divine.  P.  P. 

23,  24.  By  the  slain  are  meant  they  who  are  rejected, 
treated  with  abuse,  and  held  in  hatred  by  the  evil  in  the 
world  of  spirits,  and  who  might  be  led  away,  also  they 
who  desire  to  know  truths,  but  cannot  on  account  of  the 
falsities  in  the  church  may  be  evident.  See  Zechariah 
xi.  4,  5,  7:  Matthew  xxiv.  9:  John  xvi.  2,  3,  etc.  R.  325. 
In  the  spiritual  sense  murder  means  all  modes  of  kill- 
ing and  destroying  the  souls  of  men.  These  modes  are 
various  and  manifold,  as  turning  them  away  from  God, 
religion,  and  Divine  worship,  by  throwing  out  scandals 


PSALM   XLIV.  I59 

against  them,  and  by  persuading  to  such  things  as  cause 
aversion  and  also  abhorrence.  Such  things  are  done  by 
all  the  devils  and  satans  in  hell,  with  whom  they  who 
violate  and  prostitute  the  holy  things  of  the  church  in  this 
world  are  conjoined.  In  the  prophetic  Word  they  whom 
they  destroy  are  meant  by  the  slain.  T.  310. 

By  being  killed  all  day  long,  and  accounted  as  sheep 
for  the  slaughter  is  meant  that  of  ourselves  we  are  per- 
petually falling  into  false  persuasions,  and  are  seduced  by 
them,  and  especially  when  these  prevail.  E.  315. 

24,  27.     Therefore  may  the  Divine  bring  Him  help.     P.  P. 

25.  See  Psalm  xxvii.  8,  9.  R.  939. 
See  Psalm  xiii.  2.                                             E.  412. 

25.  26.  He  is  in  the  last  state  of  temptation,  as  if  He  were 
forsaken.  P.  P. 

25-27.  When  man  turns  himself  away  from  the  face  of 
Jehovah  he  cleaves  to  the  dust  and  with  his  belly  to  the 
earth.  A.  247. 

26.  By  dust  also  is  signified  what  is  damned.  A.  7418. 
By  the  soul  and  the  belly  in  the  spiritual  sense  is  sig- 
nified the  thought  of  the  understanding,  and  by  the  being 
bowed  down  to  the  dust  and  cleaving  to  the  earth  is  signi- 
fied the  being  imbued  with  falsities,  for  by  dust  and  earth 
is  here  signified  what  is  infernal  and  accursed.        E.  622. 

See  Psalm  xxxi.  10.  E.  750. 

27.  That  the  Lord  as  to  the  Human  is  the  Redeemer  is 
not  denied  in  the  church.  R.  281. 

See  Psalm  xix.  15.  R.  613. 

To  redeem  signifies  to  vindicate  from  evils  and  to  lib- 
erate from  falsities,  and  also  to  vindicate  and  liberate 
from  hell.  All  the  evils  and  falsities  with  man  rise  up 
from  hell.  Since  they  are  removed  by  reformation  and 
regeneration  from  the  Lord,  these  are  also  signified  by 
redeeming,  or  by  redemption.  E.  328. 

Arise  for  our  help,  and  ransom  us  for  thy  mercy's  sake. 

D.  P.,  Page  87. 


l6o  PSALM   XLV. 


PSALM  XLV. 

For  the  Chief  Musician;  set  to  Shoshannim.     A  Psalm  of  the  sons  of 
Korah.     Maschil.     A  Song  of  loves. 

i.     My  heart  overfloweth  with  a  goodly  matter; 

I  speak  the  things  which  I  have  made  touching  the 

king: 
My  tongue  is  the  pen  of  a  ready  writer. 

2.  Thou  art  fairer  than  the  children  of  men; 
Grace  is  poured  into  thy  lips: 
Therefore  God  hath  blessed  thee  for  ever. 

3.  Gird  thy  sword  upon  thy  thigh,  O  mighty  one, 
Thy  glory  and  thy  majesty. 

4.  And  in  thy  majesty  ride  on  prosperously, 
Because  of  truth  and  meekness  and  righteousness: 
And  thy  right  hand  shall  teach  thee  terrible  things. 

5.  Thine  arrows  are  sharp; 
The  peoples  fall  under  thee; 

They  are  in  the  heart  of  the  king's  enemies. 

6.  Thy  throne,  O  God,  is  for  ever  and  ever: 

A  sceptre  of  equity  is  the  sceptre  of  thy  kingdom. 

7.  Thou  hast  loved  righteousness,  and  hated  wickedness: 
Therefore  God,  thy  God,  hath  anointed  thee 

With  the  oil  of  gladness  above  thy  fellows. 

8.  All  thy  garments  smell  of  myrrh,  and  aloes,  and  cassia; 
Out  of  ivory  palaces  stringed  instruments  have  made 

thee  glad. 

9.  Kings'  daughters  are  among  thy  honorable  women: 
At  thy  right  hand  doth  stand  the  queen  in  gold  of  Ophir. 

10.  Hearken,  O  daughter,  and  consider,  and  incline  thine 

ear; 
Forget  also  thine  own  people,  and  thy  father's  house: 

11.  So  will  the  king  desire  thy  beauty ; 

For  he  is  thy  lord;  and  reverence  thou  him. 

12.  And  the  daughter  of  Tyre  shall  be  there  with  a  gift; 
The  rich  among  the  people  shall  entreat  thy  favor. 

13.  The  king's  daughter  within  the  palace  is  all  glorious: 
Her  clothing  is  inwrought  with  gold. 


PSALM  XLV.  l6l 

14.  She  shall  be  led  unto  the  king  in  broidered  work: 
The  virgins  her  companions  that  follow  her 
Shall  be  brought  unto  thee. 

15.  With  gladness  and  rejoicing  shall  they  be  led: 
They  shall  enter  into  the  king's  palace. 

16.  Instead  of  thy  fathers  shall  be  thy  children, 
Whom  thou  shalt  make  princes  in  all  the  earth. 

17.  I  will  make  thy  name  to  be  remembered  in  all  genera- 

tions : 
Therefore  shall  the  peoples  give  thee  thanks  for  ever 
and  ever. 

Psalm  XLV. 

General  Subject.     The  glorification  of  the  Human  of 
the  Lord,  and  heaven  and  the  church  from  Him.       P.  P. 

1.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

1,  2.  A  magnificent  word  respecting  the  Lord,  and  respect- 
ing conjunction  with  Him.  P.  P. 

I_3>  5*  To  ride  upon  the  word  of  truth  and  of  gentleness 
of  justice  is  to  teach  the  doctrine  of  truth  and  good.  Here, 
as  elsewhere  in  the  Word,  the  terms  word,  lip,  and  tongue 
signify  distinct  things.  That  they  are  things  of  doctrine 
concerning  charity  is  evident,  because  it  is  called  a  song 
of  loves.  A.  1288. 

I,  4,  5.  To  ride  upon  the  word  of  truth  stands  manifestly 
for  the  understanding  of  truth,  and  upon  the  word  of  the 
gentleness  of  justice  for  the  wisdom  of  good.        A.  2761. 

2-18.  He  who  knows  that  the  Lord  is  meant  by  David, 
may  know  why  David  in  his  Psalms  wrote  so  often  con- 
cerning the  Lord,  when  concerning  himself.  L.  44. 

3.     The  Divine  truth  is  His  alone.  P.  P. 

3,  4.  A  horse  signifies  the  understanding  of  truth  in  the 
church.  W.  H, 

3-10.  That  these  things  also  are  said  concerning  the 
Lord  is  evident  from  all  the  particulars  of  this  Psalm. 
Consequently  it  is  himself  of  whom  it  is  said,  "  God  hath 


1 62  PSALM   XLV. 

3  anointed  thee,  thy  God,  with  the  oil  of  joy,  and  all  thy 
garments  with  myrrh,  aloes,  and  cassia."  The  significa- 
tion thereof  may  appear  from  the  series,  namely,  that  He 
has  Divine  wisdom,  and  that  from  Him  is  the  doctrine  of 
Divine  truth  is  signified  by,  "  thou  art  fair,  far  above  the 
sons  of  men,  grace  is  poured  upon  thy  lips."  To  be  fair 
signifies  to  be  wise.  The  sons  of  men  those  wrho  are  in- 
telligent in  Divine  truths,  and  lips  doctrinals.  His  omnip- 
otence by  virtue  of  Divine  truth  proceeding  from  Divine 
good,  and  thence  the  destruction  of  falses  and  evils,  and 
subjugation  of  the  hells  is  signified  by,  "gird  thy  sword 
upon  thy  thigh,"  and  the  remainder  of  verses  4  and  5.  By 
sword  is  signified  truth  combating  against  the  false  and 
destroying  it,  by  the  word  of  verity,  the  same  as  by 
chariots,  the  doctrine  of  truth,  by  riding  upon  it  to  in- 
struct and  combat,  by  the  right  hand  omnipotence,  by 
arrows  truths  combating,  by  people  those  wTho  are  in 
falses  of  evil,  by  the  enemies  of  the  king  those  who  are 
against  truths  thus  the  hells.  That  hence  the  kingdom 
and  dominion  would  be  His  for  ever  is  signified  by  verse  7. 
The  sceptre  of  rectitude  stands  for  Divine  truth  which 
has  power  and  the  kingdom.  That  He  liberated  the  good 
from  damnation  by  destroying  the  evil,  and  that  on  that 
account  the  essential  Divine  united  itself  to  His  Human  is 
signified  by  verse  8.  To  love  justice  and  to  hate  evil  sig- 
nifies to  vindicate  the  good  from  damnation  by  destroying 
the  evil.  To  anoint  with  the  oil  of  joy  signifies  to  unite 
himself  by  victories  over  temptations.  God,  thy  God 
signifies  the  reciprocal  unition  of  the  Human  with  the 
Divine,  and  of  the  Divine  with  the  Human.  Divine 
truths  united  to  Divine  goods  are  signified  by  verse  9. 
Myrrh  the  good  of  the  ultimate  degree,  aloes  the  good  of 
the  second,  and  cassia  the  good  of  the  third.  That  spir- 
itual affections  of  truth  belong  to  those  who  are  of  His 
kingdom  is  signified  by  verse  10.  The  daughters  of  kings 
stand  for  the  spiritual  affections  of  truth,  which  are  called 


PSALM  XLV.  163 

precious  when  the  truths  are  genuine.  That  heaven  and 
the  church  are  in  His  protection  and  conjoined  to  Him 
because  principled  in  love  to  Him  and  from  Him  is  sig- 
nified by  verse  10.  The  queen  signifies  heaven  and  the 
church,  at  thy  right  hand  in  His  protection  by  virtue  of 
conjunction  with  Him.  Best  gold  of  Ophir  signifies  the 
good  of  love  to  the  Lord.  E.  684. 

3,  14,  17.  Here,  the  Lord  is  treated  of.  "Instead  of  thy 
fathers  shall  be  thy  sons"  means  that  Divine  truths  shall 
be  as  Divine  goods.  The  king's  daughter  the  love  of 
truth,  the  clothing  inwrought  with  gold  the  quality  of 
that  truth  derived  from  good.  The  subject  is  the  Lord 
and  His  Divine  Human,  as  is  manifest  from  the  whole 
Psalm.  A.  3703. 

4.  Speaking  of  the  Lord,  where  sword  stands  for  truth  com- 
bating and  thigh  for  the  good  of  love.  To  gird  the  sword 
upon  the  thigh  signifies  that  the  truth  from  which  He 
would  fight  would  be  from  the  good  of  love.  A.  3021. 

It  is  said  the  sword  upon  the  thigh,  because  truth  com- 
bating against  the  false  and  evil  and  conquering  must  be 
derived  from  good.  All  the  power  of  truth  is  from  that 
source.  Truth  without  good  is  not  indeed  truth,  for  it  is 
only  a  scientific  principle  without  life,  hence  truth  without 
good  has  no  power.  A.  10488. 

The  thigh  signifies  the  good  of  love,  and  when  speaking 

of  the  Lord  the  Divine  good  of  the  Divine  love.       R.  830. 

4,  5.     A  sword  signifies  the  truth  of  faith  combating.     Here 

the  Lord  is  treated  of.  A.  2799. 

See  Psalm  viii.  6.  R.  249. 

A  horse  means  the  understanding  of  truth  —  ride  upon 
the  Word  of  truth.  R.  298. 

This  passage  also  treats  concerning  the  Lord.  To 
gird  the  sword  upon  the  thigh  signifies  Divine  truth  com- 
bating from  Divine  good.  E.  288. 
4-6.  A  sword  truth  combating  against  falsities  and  de- 
stroying them.     This  is  said  of  the  Lord.  R.  52. 


164  PSALM  XLV. 

4      These  words  are  concerning  the  Lord,  and  concerning 

His  combats  with  the  hells,  and  concerning  His  victories 

over  them.  T.  86. 

By  a  sword  is  signified  truth  combating  and  destroying. 

This  destruction  appears  especially  in  the  spiritual  world, 

where  they  who  are  in  falsities  cannot  sustain  the  truth, 

but  are  in  a  state  of  anguish,  as  if  they  struggled  with 

death  when  they  come  into  the  sphere  of  light,  that  is 

into  the  sphere  of  Divine  truth.  E.  131. 

He  has  powerfully  conquered  the  hells  by  means  of 

Divine  truth.  P.  P. 

Of  the  judgment  executed  by  the  Lord. 

D.  P.,  Page  72. 

4-8.     This  also  is  concerning  combats  with  the  hells  and 

concerning  their  subjugation,  for  the  Lord  is  treated  of 

in  the  whole  of  this  Psalm,  namely,  His  combats,  His 

glorification,  and  the  salvation  of  the  faithful  by  Him. 

L.  14. 

See  Psalm  xxiv.  8,  10.  T.  116. 

4  to  end  of  this  Psalm.     Verses  quoted.        D.  P.,  Page  59. 

4,  5,  10.  These  things  are  said  concerning  the  Lord.  To 
gird  the  sword  upon  the  thigh  signifies  Divine  truth  com- 
bating from  Divine  good,  wherefore  it  is  said,  with  thy 
glory  and  thy  majesty.  Glory  when  predicated  of  the 
Lord  signifies  truth,  and  majesty  Divine  good.  To  ride 
prosperously  signifies  to  combat  from  Divine  good.  The 
omnipotence  and  omniscience  of  the  Lord  are  signified 
by  "thy  right  hand  shall  teach  thee  terrible  things." 
"King's  daughters  among  thy  honorable  women"  sig- 
nify the  affections  of  truth.  The  queen  upon  thy  right 
hand  in  gold  of  Ophir,  signifies  heaven  and  the  church 
and  those  therein  who  are  in  truths  from  good,  the  right 
hand  standing  for  truth  in  light,  and  gold  of  Ophir  the 
good  of  love.  E.  298. 

5.  Speaking  of  the  Lord.     Riding  upon  the  word  of  truth 
means  being  in  the  very  understanding  of  truth.     A.  6534. 


W.  H. 

E-  355- 

A-  53*3- 

P.  P. 

A.  9954. 

A.  9954. 

R.  779. 

E-  375- 

PSAI,M  XLV.  165 

They  who  ride  in  chariots  and  on  horses  signify  those 

who  understand  and  are  in  the  doctrine  of  truth  derived 

from  the  Word. 

5,  6.     These  things  are  said  concerning  the  Lord. 

7.  See  Psalm  ix.  5,  8. 
The  kingdom  is  His  to  eternity. 

8.  See  Psalm  ii.  2,  6. 
See  Psalm  xxiii.  5. 
See  Psalm  ii.  2,  6. 
See  Psalm  ii.  2-6. 

It  was  customary  in  ancient  times  to  anoint  themselves 
and  others  with  oil  to  testify  gladness  of  mind  and  be- 
nevolence. E.  375. 

8,  9.  These  things  are  said  of  the  Lord,  who  alone  is  the 
Anointed  of  Jehovah,  since  the  Divine  good  of  the  Divine 
love,  which  is  signified  by  the  oil  of  anointing  was  in  Him. 
By  His  garments  which  are  said  to  be  anointed  with 
myrrh,  aloes,  and  cassia  are  signified  Divine  truths  from 
His  Divine  good  in  the  natural.  A.  10252. 

The  subject  treated  of  in  this  Psalm  throughout  is  con- 
cerning the  Lord,  and  concerning  the  glorification  of  His 
human.  That  garments  are  not  meant  is  evident,  neither 
myrrh,  aloes  and  cassia  with  which  they  were  anointed, 
but  Divine  truths  derived  from  Divine  good,  which  the 
Lord  put  on  as  to  His  human.  A.  10258. 

He  has  thereby  made  the  human  Divine.  P.  P. 

9.  These  things  are  said  of  the  Lord.  R.  166. 
Ivory  signifies  natural  truth.  R.  774. 
Garments  when  mentioned  in  speaking  of  the  Lord  sig- 
nify the  Divine  truth  proceeding  from  Him.     Here  the 
Lord  is  treated  of.  E.  195. 

Treating  concerning  the  Lord.  The  palaces  of  ivory 
stand  for  truths  from  the  rational  man,  thus  rational 
truths.  E.  1 146. 

Thus  heaven  and  the  church  are  His,  and  they  are  in 
Divine  truths  from  Him.  P.  P. 


1 66  PSALM.  XLV. 

io.  Gold  stands  for  the  good  of  love.  Gold  from  Ophir  is 
spiritual  good.  A.  9881. 

See  Psalm  xxxvi.  8.  R.  789. 

To  stand  before  God  signifies  to  be  in  the  Divine  truth, 
consequently  with  the  Lord.  E.  639. 

The  subject  treated  of  in  this  Psalm  is  concerning  the 
Lord  and  His  kingdom.  By  the  daughters  of  kings  among 
the  precious  ones  are  signified  the  affections  of  truth, 
which  are  called  among  the  precious,  because  precious  in 
the  Word  is  predicated  of  truths.  By  the  queen  standing 
at  the  right  hand  in  gold  of  Ophir  is  signified  the  church 
from  the  reception  of  good  from  the  Lord,  for  all  things 
with  man  which  belong  to  his  right  side  have  reference 
to  good,  and  those  on  the  left  to  truth.  E.  11 20. 

Thus  also  there  are  affections  for  truth,  and  in  these 
are  the  societies  of  heaven.  P.  P. 

10-16.  By  the  king  the  Lord  is  here  meant,  by  the  queen 
the  church  as  a  wife,  by  the  daughters  and  virgins  affec- 
tions for  good  and  truth.  R.  620. 

The  Lord  also  describes  His  marriage  with  the  church 
in  these  words.  M.  21. 

The  foregoing  statement  repeated  in  T.  748. 

By  the  daughters  of  kings  are  signified  affections  of 
Divine  truth,  by  the  queen  at  his  right  hand  in  purest 
gold  of  Ophir  is  signified  heaven  and  the  church,  which 
are  in  Divine  truth  from  Divine  good.  To  hear,  to  see, 
and  incline  the  ear  which  are  predicated  of  the  king's 
daughter  signify  to  hearken,  perceive,  and  obey,  thus  to 
understand,  to  act,  and  be  wise  from  the  Lord.  That 
then  she  will  be  accepted  of  the  Lord  is  signified  by,  then 
shall  the  king  be  delighted  in  thy  beauty,  beauty  being 
predicated  of  the  affection  of  truth,  for  this  constitutes 
the  beauty  of  angels.  Bow  thyself  down  to  him  signifies 
worship  from  a  humble  heart.  The  daughter  of  Tyre 
with  an  offering  signifies  worship  from  those  who  are  in 
the  knowledges  of  truth.     The  rich  of  the  people  shall 


PSALM   XLV.  167 

entreat  thy  face  signifies  adoration  from  those  who  are 
in  intelligence  from  those  knowledges.  The  daughter  of 
the  king  is  all  glorious  within  signifies  the  spiritual  affec- 
tion of  truth,  which  is  called  glorious  from  the  abundance 
of  truth.  Within  signifies  the  spiritual.  Her  clothing 
inwrought  with  gold  signifies  investing  truths  formed  from 
the  good  of  love.  She  shall  be  brought  to  the  king  in 
raiment  of  needlework  signifies  appearances  of  truth,  such 
as  are  in  the  literal  sense  of  the  Word.  The  virgins  after 
her,  her  friends  signifies  the  spiritual-natural  affections 
of  truth,  which  are  of  service.  With  joy  and  exultation 
they  shall  be  brought,  they  shall  come  into  the  palace  of 
the  king,  signifies  with  celestial  joy  into  heaven  where  the 
Lord  is.  E.  863. 

10-17.  Daughters  stand  for  goods  very  frequently  in  the 
Word.  Here  the  good  and  beauty  of  love  is  described 
by  the  daughter.  A.  490. 

10  et  seq.  Since  all  things  which  are  in  the  books  of  the 
Word,  as  well  those  in  the  historical  as  those  in  the  pro- 
phetical books  are  representative  and  significative  of  Di- 
vine-celestial and  spiritual  things,  therefore  the  affection 
of  that  truth  is  described  by  the  daughter  of  a  king,  and 
the  truth  itself  by  her  garments.  A.  9942. 

10,  11,  14,  15.  By  the  king's  daughter  is  signified  the 
affection  of  truth,  and  thence  the  church.  E.  395. 

10,  14.  Gold  from  correspondence  signifies  the  good  of 
love.  R.  913. 

This  passage  treats  of  the  Lord.  By  the  king's  daughter 
is  understood  the  church  which  is  in  the  affection  of  truth, 
and  which  is  described  by  king's  daughters  being  among 
her  honorable  women,  by  whom  are  understood  the 
affections  of  truth  themselves.  By  the  queen  is  under- 
stood the  Lord's  celestial  kingdom,  which  is  in  the  good 
of  love,  by  her  clothing  is  understood  that  truths  are  de- 
rived from  good.  E.  242. 

11.  Of  the  church  where  the  Word  is:  it  should  depart 
from  the  affections  of  the  natural  man,  P.  P. 


1 68  PSALM   XLV. 

12.     Thus  will  it  be  the  church  of  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

12,  14,  15.     See  Psalm  xx.  10.  R.  664. 

13.  What  is  meant  by  the  daughter  of  Zidon  and  the  daugh- 
ter of  Tyre  is  plain  from  the  signification  of  Zidon  and  of 
Tyre.     See  Arcana  No.  1 201.  A.  3024. 

By  daughters  are  also  signified  the  false  religions  of 
many  nations,  as  the  daughter  of  Tyre,  the  daughter  of 
Edom  —  Lamentations  iv.  22  —  the  daughters  of  Chal- 
deans and  of  Babylon,  —  Psalm  cxxxvii.  8.  A.  6729. 

In  this  passage  is  described  the  church  as  to  the  affection 
of  truth,  and  she  is  called  the  daughter  of  a  king,  for 
daughter  stands  for  the  church  as  to  affection,  and  king 
for  truth.  A.  10227. 

By  the  rich  in  the  Word,  in  the  spiritual  sense,  are  meant 
those  who  are  in  the  knowledges  of  truth  and  good,  and 
by  riches  the  knowledges  themselves,  which  are  in  fact 
spiritual  riches.  H.  365. 

This  is  said  of  Tyre  —  Ezekiel  xxviii.  4,  5  —  by  which 
the  knowledge  of  truth  and  good  is  signified.  R.  206. 

The  church  is  here  described  as  to  the  affection  of  truth, 
which  is  understood  by  the  daughter  of  Tyre,  for  a  daugh- 
ter stands  for  the  church  as  to  affection,  and  a  king' de- 
notes truth.  E.  236. 

13,  14.  Here  by  the  king's  daughter  is  signified  the  spir- 
itual affection  of  truth,  and  by  the  daughter  of  Tyre  the 
affection  of  the  knowledges  of  truth  and  good.  To  be 
enriched  with  these  is  signified  by  being  there  with  a  gift. 
By  the  rich  among  the  people  are  signified  the  intelligent, 
and  abstractedly  the  intelligence  of  truth  and  good,  to  be 
gifted  with  these  is  signified  by  entreating  his  favour  or 
face,  for  in  the  spiritual  affection  of  truth  are  contained 
all  things  pertaining  to  intelligence,  which  are  therefore 
signified  by  the  face.  E.  412. 

13-15.  And  thus  it  will  have  cognitions  of  truth  and  good 
with  subservient  knowledges.  P.  P. 

14,  15.     The  king's  daughter  represents  the  Lord's  spir- 


PSALM  XL VI.  169 

itual  kingdom,  the  virgins  her  companions  that  follow 
her  represent  affections  for  truth.  A.  3081. 

The  king's  daughter  standing  for  affection  for  truth,  her 
clothing  inwrought  with  gold  for  truths  wherein  is  good, 
broidered  work  for  the  lowest  truths.  A.  5954. 

The  king's  daughter  stands  for  the  affection  for  truth, 
needlework  for  the  scientific  of  truth.  A.  9688. 

The  king's  daughter  is  the  church  as  to  affection  for 
truth.  R.  166. 

By  the  king's  daughter  is  signified  the  spiritual  affection 
of  truth  and  hence  the  church  from  those  who  are  in  that 
affection.  The  king  signifies  the  Lord  as  to  Divine  truth, 
the  raiment  of  needlework  intelligence  and  wisdom  from 
that  truth.  The  embroidery  in  which  she  should  be 
brought  to  the  king  signifies  the  knowledges  of  truth. 

E.  195. 
14,  15,  17.  The  king's  daughter  is  the  Lord's  spiritual 
kingdom,  which  is  called  His  spiritual  kingdom  from  the 
Lord's  Divine  truth,  here  described  by  her  clothing  in- 
wrought with  gold  and  of  broidered  work.  Sons  are  the 
truths  of  that  kingdom  that  are  from  the  Lord's  Divine 
which  should  be  princes,  truth  that  is  primary.     A.  5044. 

16.  So  there  will  be  conjunction  with  the  Lord  in  heaven. 

P.  P. 

17.  It  will  possess  primary  truths.  P.  P. 

18.  The  whole  church  will  serve  the  Lord.  P.  P. 


PSALM  XLVI. 


For  the   Chief  Musician.     A   Psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah;  set  to 
Alamoth.     A  Song. 

1.  God  is  our  refuge  and  strength, 
A  very  present  help  in  trouble. 

2.  Therefore  will  we  not  fear,  though  the  earth  do  change, 
And  though  the  mountains  be  shaken  into  the  heart 

of  the  seas; 


170  PSALM   XLVI. 

3.  Though  the  waters  thereof  roar  and  be  troubled, 
Though    the    mountains    tremble    with    the    swelling 

thereof.  [Selah 

4.  There  is  a  river,  the  streams  whereof  make  glad  the 

city  of  God, 
The  holy  place  of  the  tabernacles  of  the  Most  High. 

5.  God  is  in  the  midst  of  her;  she  shall  not  be  moved: 
God  will  help  her,  and  that  right  early. 

6.  The  nations  raged,  the  kingdoms  were  moved: 
He  uttered  his  voice,  the  earth  melted. 

7.  Jehovah  of  hosts  is  with  us; 

The  God  of  Jacob  is  our  refuge.  [Selah 

8.  Come,  behold  the  works  of  Jehovah, 
What  desolations  he  hath  made  in  the  earth. 

9.  He  maketh  wars  to  cease  unto  the  end  of  the  earth; 
He  breaketh  the  bow,  and  cutteth  the  spear  in  sunder; 
He  burneth  the  chariots  in  the  fire. 

10.  Be  still,  and  know  that  I  am  God: 

I  will  be  exalted  among  the  nations,  I  will  be  exalted 
in  the  earth. 

11.  Jehovah  of  hosts  is  with  us; 

The  God  of  Jacob  is  our  refuge.  [Selah 

Psalm  XLVI. 

1.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

1-4,  7,  8.  There  will  be  protection  from  the  Lord  when  the 
last  judgment  comes  and  continues.  P.  P. 

2-4.  By  the  words  "Though  the  earth  be  removed,  and 
though  the  mountains  be  carried  into  the  midst  of  the 
sea"  are  signified  the  evils  of  the  love  of  self  and  of  the 
world,  which  strike  or  dazzle  the  mind  according  to  their 
increase.  E.  405. 

3,  4.  That  mountains  and  hills  signify  love  to  the  Lord 
and  love  toward  the  neighbour  may  be  still  more  mani- 
festly evident  from  their  opposite  sense  in  which  they 
signify  infernal  loves,  which  are  the  love  of  self  and  the 
love  of  the  world,  as  is  manifest  here.  R.  336. 


PSALM    XL VI,  I71 

By  the  depth  of  the  sea  and  by  the  deep  is  signified  the 
hell,  where  are  the  falsities  of  evil  and  whence  they  arise. 

E.  538. 

3-5.  By  rivers  are  signified  truths  in  abundance,  because 
truths  are  signified  by  waters.  R.  409. 

3-6.  These  words  in  the  spiritual  sense  involve  the  follow- 
ing particulars,  that  although  the  church  with  all  things 
thereof  perish,  still  the  Word  and  the  Divine  truth  therein 
shall  not  perish.  By  the  earth  is  signified  the  church,  by 
the  mountains  the  goods  of  love,  by  the  waters  truths,  and 
by  being  removed,  put  in  motion,  roaring,  being  troubled, 
and  shaking  are  signified  the  states  thereof  when  they 
perish,  and  falses  and  evils  enter  in  their  place,  conse- 
quently the  states  of  the  church  when  it  is  vastated  as  to 
goods,  and  desolated  as  to  truths.  That  the  Word  shall 
not  perish,  or  the  Divine  truth  which  is  of  the  church  is 
signified  by  the  river  whose  streams  shall  make  glad  the 
city  of  God,  which  shall  not  be  removed,  a  river  signifying 
here  the  same  as  a  fountain,  namely,  the  Word  because 
streams  are  predicated  of  it,  by  which  are  signified  truths. 
The  city  of  God  signifies  the  church  as  to  doctrine.  To 
make  glad  signifies  influx  and  reception  from  joy  of  heart. 
Not  to  be  moved  signifies  not  to  perish  with  regard  to 
anything  thereof.  E.  518. 

3,  4,  7,  9.     See  Psalm  xviii.  7,  8.  R.  285. 

Here  it  is  evident  that  by  the  earth  is  meant  the  church. 
By  mountains  are  signified  the  goods  of  love,  which  are 
said  to  be  carried  into  the  midst  of  the  sea  when  the  essen- 
tial knowledges  of  truth  are  perverted.  E.  304. 

5.  By  the  Holy  City  which  is  also  called  the  Holy  Jerusa- 
lem nothing  else  is  meant  than  the  kingdom  of  the  Lord 
universal,  or  in  each  one  in  particular  in  whom  the  king- 
dom of  the  Lord  is.  A.  402. 
Waters,  rivers,  and  depths  stand  for  truths  from  the 
Lord.  A.  2702. 
See  Psalm  vii.  18.                                                 A.  8153. 


I72  PSALM   XLVI. 

See  Psalm  xliii.  3,  4.  A.  9594. 

See  Psalm  xliii.  3.  E.  799. 

5,  6.     By  city  in  the  spiritual  sense  is  meant  doctrine. 

R.  194. 

By  Jerusalem  is  understood  the  celestial  church  as  to 

the  doctrine  of  truth.     Jerusalem  is  called  the  holy  city, 

the  city  of  God  and  the  city  of  a  great  king.  E.  223. 

6.  By  morning  in  these  places  is  meant  the  coming  of  the 
Lord,  when  He  came  into  the  world  and  established  a 
new  church,  in  like  manner  now.  R.  151. 

Morning  means  the  first  time  of  the  church,  evening  and 

night  the  last  time  of  it.  T.  764. 

See  Psalm  v.  4.  E.  179. 

See  Psalm  xxx.  6.  Coro.  5. 

6,  7.  Those  who  are  of  the  church  and  in  the  doctrine  of 
truth  will  be  saved  by  the  Lord  when  He  comes.       P.  P. 

7,  8.  By  the  God  of  Jacob  and  the  Holy  One  of  Israel  in 
the  Word  of  the  Old  Testament  the  Lord  himself  is 
signified.  A.  3305. 

9,  10.  War  stands  for  combats,  and  the  various  arms  of 
war  stand  for  those  things  which  belong  to  spiritual  com- 
bat, these  are  broken  when  cupidities  and  falsities  ceasing, 
the  man  comes  into  the  tranquillity  of  peace.        A.  1664. 

Here  the  bow  and  arrows  plainly  stand  for  doctrinals 
of  falsity.  A.  2686. 

By  wars  in  the  Word  spiritual  wars  are  signified. 

R.  500. 

Here  also  by  Jehovah  making  wars  to  cease  to  the 
extremity  of  the  earth  is  signified  that  He  makes  combats 
to  cease  as  understood  in  the  spiritual  sense,  which  are 
combats  of  falses  against  the  truths  and  goods  of  the 
church.  E.  734. 

They  will  have  no  fears  of  the  hells  nor  of  infestations 
therefrom.  P.  P. 

10.  See  Psalm  xi.  2.  R.  299. 
Since  by  wars  are  signified  spiritual  combats,  which 


PSALM   XLVII.  173 

are  here  those  of  what  is  false  against  the  truth  and  the 
good  pertaining  to  the  church,  it  is  evident  what  is  meant 
by  Jehovah  making  wars  to  cease  unto  the  end  of  the 
earth,  namely,  that  all  combats  and  all  disagreement 
should  cease  from  first  principles  to  the  ultima tes  of  the 
truth  of  the  church,  the  end  of  the  earth  signifying  its 
ultima  tes.  That  there  shall  be  no  combat  of  doctrine 
against  doctrine  is  signified  by  His  breaking  the  bow,  that 
there  shall  be  no  combat  from  any  falsity  of  evil  is  signified 
by  His  breaking  the  spear  asunder.  That  everything  of 
the  doctrine  of  falsity  shall  be  destroyed  is  signified  by 
burning  the  chariot  in  the  fire.  E.  357. 

11,  12.     This  is  from  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

12.  Verse  quoted.  D.  P.t  Page  63. 


PSALM  XLVII. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah. 

Oh  clap  your  hands,  all  ye  peoples; 

Shout  unto  God  with  the  voice  of  triumph. 

For  Jehovah  Most  High  is  terrible; 

He  is  a  great  King  over  all  the  earth. 

He  subdueth  peoples  under  us, 

And  nations  under  our  feet. 

He  chooseth  our  inheritance  for  us, 

The  glory  of  Jacob  whom  he  loved.  [Selah 

God  is  gone  up  with  a  shout, 

Jehovah  with  the  sound  of  a  trumpet. 

Sing  praises  to  God,  sing  praises: 

Sing  praises  unto  our  King,  sing  praises. 

For  God  is  the  King  of  all  the  earth: 

Sing  ye  praises  with  understanding. 

God  reigneth  over  the  nations: 

God  sitteth  upon  his  holy  throne. 

The  princes  of  the  peoples  are  gathered  together 

To  be  the  people  of  the  God  of  Abraham; 

For  the  shields  of  the  earth  belong  unto  God: 

He  is  greatly  exalted. 


174  PSALM   XLVII. 


Psalm  XLVII. 


General  Subject.     The  Lord's  kingdom.  P.  P. 

1-3.     A  song  in  praise  of  the  Lord,  that  He  reigns  over  the 

church.  P.  P. 

2,  6-9.  Since  there  are  various  affections  of  good  and  truth 
and  each  expresses  itself  by  a  sound  agreeable  to  its 
quality,  therefore  in  the  Word  various  kinds  of  instru- 
ments are  mentioned,  especially  in  David,  by  which  sim- 
ilar affections  are  signified.  E.  326. 

3,  7-9.     That  the  Lord  is  called  king  is  manifest.     R.  664. 

4,  That  He  will  remove  falsities  and  evils.  P.  P. 

4.  9,  10.     See  Psalm  xviii.  44.  S.  86. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  44.  R.  483. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  44.  T.  251. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  44.  E.  331. 

5.  6.     That  He  will  establish  a  church.  P.  P. 

6.  Shout  stands  for  the  truth  of  spiritual  good,  the  voice 
of  a  trumpet  for  the  truth  of  celestial  good.  A.  8815. 

The  reason  why  a  trumpet  or  horn  signifies  Divine 
truth  about  to  be  revealed  from  heaven  is  because  Divine 
truth  is  sometimes  heard  as  the  sound  of  a  trumpet  when 
it  flows  down  from  the  Lord  through  the  heavens  to  man, 
for  it  is  augmented  in  its  descent  and  thus  flows  in.  E.  55. 

The  signification  of  a  trumpet  is  the  Divine  truth  man- 
ifested and  revealed  out  of  heaven.  E.  262. 

7.  He  is  therefore  to  be  praised  in  song,  P.  P. 

8.  9.     because  His  kingdom  is  over  the  whole  church. 

P.  P. 

9.  See  Psalm  ix.  8.  E.  687. 

10.  See  Psalm  vii.  10,  11,  add.     Trust  is  again  meant. 

A.  1788. 

It  is  known  from  the  Lord's  Word  that  worship  from 

freedom  is  truly  worship,  and  that  what  is  spontaneous  is 

pleasing  to  the  Lord,  wherefore  it  is  thus  said  in  David. 

T.  495. 
And  over  the  heavens.  P.  P. 


PSALM   XLVni.  175 

PSALM  XLVIII. 

A  Song;  a  Psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah. 

i.     Great  is  Jehovah,  and  greatly  to  be  praised, 

In  the  city  of  our  God,  in  his  holy  mountain. 
2.     Beautiful  in  elevation,  the  joy  of  the  whole  earth, 

Is  mount  Zion,  on  the  sides  of  the  north, 

The  city  of  the  great  King. 

God  hath  made  himself  known  in  her  palaces  for  a 
refuge. 

For,  lo,  the  kings  assembled  themselves, 

They  passed  by  together. 

They  saw  it,  then  were  they  amazed; 

They  were  dismayed,  they  hasted  away. 

Trembling  took  hold  of  them  there, 

Pain,  as  of  a  woman  in  travail. 

With  the  east  wind 

Thou  breakest  the  ships  of  Tarshish. 

As  we  have  heard,  so  have  we  seen 

In  the  city  of  Jehovah  of  hosts,  in  the  city  of  our  God: 

God  will  establish  it  for  ever.  [Selah 

9.     We  have  thought  on  thy  lovingkindness,  O  God, 

In  the  midst  of  thy  temple. 

10.  As  is  thy  name,  O  God, 

So  is  thy  praise  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth: 
Thy  right  hand  is  full  of  righteousness. 

11.  Let  mount  Zion  be  glad, 

Let  the  daughters  of  Judah  rejoice, 
Because  of  thy  judgments. 

12.  Walk  about  Zion,  and  go  round  about  her; 
Number  the  towers  thereof; 

13.  Mark  ye  well  her  bulwarks; 
Consider  her  palaces: 

That  ye  may  tell  it  to  the  generation  following 

14.  For  this  God  is  our  God  for  ever  and  ever: 
He  will  be  our  guide  even  unto  death. 


176  PSALM   XLVIII. 


Psalm  XLVIII. 

i.    See  Psalm  xviii.  i.  R.  279. 

1-4,   9.     The   spiritual   kingdom   of  the   Lord,   how  ad- 
mirable! P.  P. 
2.     Cities  signify  doctrines  or  doctrinal  tenets.          R.  194. 

2,  3.  The  north  stands  for  those  who  are  more  remote  from 
the  light  of  good  and  truth,  and  the  right  hand  —  Psalm 
lxxxix.  12-13  —  for  those  who  are  nearer  thereto. 

_   A.  3708. 

The  reason  why  Jerusalem  was  called  the  city  of  God 

was  because  by  God  in  the  Word  of  the  Old  Testament 

is  understood  the  Divine  truth  proceeding  from  the  Lord. 

E.  223. 
2-4.  By  these  words  is  described  the  worship  of  the  Lord 
from  truths  originating  in  good.  The  worship  of  the  Lord 
from  spiritual  truths  and  goods,  and  the  pleasure  of  the 
soul  thence  derived  is  signified  by  verse  2,  and  by  "beau- 
tiful in  elevation"  in  verse  3.  Worship  is  understood 
by  being  "great  and  greatly  to  be  praised."  Spiritual 
truth  which  is  from  spiritual  good  is  understood  by  "the 
city  of  our  God."  The  mountain  of  His  holiness,  and 
the  pleasure  of  the  soul  thence  derived  is  understood  by 
"beautiful  in  elevation,"  or  for  situation.  Worship  from 
celestial  good  is  understood  by  "the  joy  of  the  whole 
earth  is  mount  Zion."  Truths  from  that  good  are  under- 
stood by,  "on  the  sides  of  the  north  the  city  of  a  great 
king."  The  sides  of  the  north  mean  truths  from  celestial 
good,  and  the  city  of  the  great  king,  the  doctrine  of  truth 
thence  derived.  E.  405. 

3,  4.  By  Zion  in  the  Word  is  not  meant  Zion,  but  heaven 
and  the  church  where  the  Lord  reigns  by  His  Divine 
truth.  E.  850. 

3,  4,  12-15.     See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  R.  612. 

5-8.     Here  is  described  the  terror  and  confusion  occasioned 

by  an  east  wind,  the  description  being  taken  from  what 


PSALM   XLVIII.  177 

passes  in  the  world  of  spirits,  which  is  involved  in  the 
internal  sense  of  the  Word.  A.  842. 

It  will  dissipate  all  falsities.  P.  P. 

5,  7.  Despair  or  extremity  of  pain  is  also  described  in  the 
Word  by  the  pain  of  a  woman  in  travail.  A.  8313. 

5,  7,  8.  The  knowledges  of  truth  and  good  are  also  de- 
scribed by  ships.  Ships  cross  the  sea  and  bring  back  the 
necessaries  which  supply  the  natural  man  for  every  use, 
and  the  knowledges  of  good  and  truth  are  the  necessaries 
which  supply  the  spiritual  man  for  its  uses,  for  from  them 
is  the  doctrine  of  the  church,  and  according  to  this  is  life. 

R.  406. 
8.     Tarshish  stands  for  rituals  or  doctrinal  teachings. 

A.  1156. 

By  the  east  wind  is  signified  what  is  of  lusts  and  their 
fantasies.  A.  5215. 

Falsities  from  evil  are  signified  by  ships.  See  also 
Isaiah  ii.  11-16;  xxiii.  1,  14.  A.  6385. 

An  east  wind  signifies  means  of  destruction,  because 
it  was  dry  and  tempestuous,  hence  also  it  signifies  means 
of  devastation.  A.  7679. 

See  Psalm  xi.  6.  R.  343. 

It  is  evident  what  effect  is  produced  by  the  wind  coming 
from  the  east  which  is  called  the  eastwind,  namely,  that 
with  the  evil  it  disperses  all  the  goods  and  truths  which 
they  exhibited  in  an  external  form  before  the  world,  and 
which  they  assumed  for  the  sake  of  appearances.  Hence 
it  is  that  withering  and  drying  up  are  ascribed  to  this 
wind.  The  east  wind  also  destroys  all  things  where  the 
evil  are,  their  earths,  their  habitations,  and  their  treasures, 
for  the  reason  that  in  the  spiritual  world  these  are  corre- 
spondences of  the  states  of  those  who  dwell  there,  where- 
fore when  they  perish  the  things  which  correspond  perish 
also.  E.  41Q. 

By  the  east  wind  are  signified  devastation  and  desola- 
tion, for  by  the  wind  which  comes  from  the  east  in  the 


178  PSALM  XLVIII. 

spiritual  world  the  abodes  of  the  evil  are  overturned  from 
their  foundations,  and  they  themselves  with  the  treasures 
in  which  they  had  placed  their  hearts  are  cast  out  into  the 
hells.  E.  514. 

9.  Since  Zion  signifies  the  celestial  church,  and  Jerusalem 
the  church  with  regard  to  the  doctrine  of  truth,  therefore 
Zion  is  called  the  city  of  Jehovah,  and  Jerusalem  the  holy 
city,  the  city  of  God,  and  the  city  of  a  great  king.     E.  223. 

10.  See  Psalm  v.  10.  R.  44. 

10.  11.  By  temple  is  here  signified  the  church  which  is  in 
truths  from  good,  which  is  called  the  spiritual  church,  in 
the  midst  thereof  signifies  in  the  inmost  and  thence  in  the 
whole  thereof,  wherefore  it  is  said,  according  to  thy  name, 
so  is  thy  praise  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  To  the  ends  of 
the  earth  means  even  to  the  ultimates  of  the  church,  the 
earth  denoting  the  church.  E.  313. 

This  is  the  Divine  Human.  P.  P. 

11.  See  Psalm  xvi.  8.  E.  298. 

12.  See  Psalm  xv.  1.  E.  405. 
See  Psalm  xl.  17.  E.  660. 

12,  13.  Towers  stand  for  the  interior  truths  which  defend 
what  is  of  love  and  charity.  A.  4599. 

12-14.  To  number  means  to  know  of  what  quality  they 
are.  The  Lord  alone  knows  the  quality  of  the  affection 
of  each,  and  arranges  all  into  order  according  to  it. 

R.364. 
By  "mount  Zion"  which  is  here  called  on  to  rejoice  is 
signified  the  celestial  church  which  consists  of  those  who 
are  in  love  to  the  Lord.  By  "the  daughters  of  Judah" 
who  are  exhorted  to  be  glad  are  signified  the  affections 
of  good  and  truth  with  those  who  are  of  that  church. 
Because  of  thy  judgments  signifies  because  of  the  Divine 
truths  which  are  with  them  from  the  Lord.  "Walk 
about  Zion  and  go  round  about  her"  signifies  to  embrace 
from  love  the  things  pertaining  to  that  church.  To 
"  number  her  towers  "  signifies  to  ponder  on  the  superior 


PSALM   XLIX.  I79 

or  interior  truths  of  that  church,  to  number  meaning  to 
see  and  consider  the  quality  of  them,  and  towers  superior 
and  interior  truths.  "Mark  ye  well  her  bulwarks"  sig- 
nifies to  love  the  exterior  truths  which  defend  the  church 
against  falsities.  "Consider  her  palaces"  signifies  to 
perceive  the  goods  of  truth,  for  houses  stand  for  goods, 
and  palaces  the  more  noble  goods  of  truth.  "That  ye 
may  tell  it  to  the  generation  following"  means  the  per- 
manence of  them  to  eternity.  E.  453. 
From  this  are  all  things  of  heaven  and  of  the  church. 

P.  P. 

12-15.     See  Psalm  xlviii.  3,  4.  E.  850. 

15.     Because  the  Lord  reigns  there.  P.  P. 


PSALM  XLIX. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah. 

1.  Hear  this,  all  ye  peoples; 

Give  ear,  all  ye  inhabitants  of  the  world, 

2.  Both  low  and  high, 
Rich  and  poor  together. 

3.  My  mouth  shall  speak  wisdom; 

And  the  meditation  of  my  heart  shall  be  of  under- 
standing. 
I  will  incline  mine  ear  to  a  parable: 
I  will  open  my  dark  saying  upon  the  harp. 
Wherefore  should  I  fear  in  the  days  of  evil, 
When  iniquity  at  my  heels  compasseth  me  about  ? 
They  that  trust  in  their  wealth, 

And  boast  themselves  in  the  multitude  of  their  riches; 
None  of  them  can  by  any  means  redeem  his  brother, 
Nor  give  to  God  a  ransom  for,  him 
(For  the  redemption  of  their  life  is  costly. 
And  it  faileth  for  ever), 
That  he  should  still  live  alway, 
That  he  should  not  see  corruption. 


l8o  PSALM  XLIX. 

10.     For  he  shall  see  it.     Wise  men  die; 

The  fool  and  the  brutish  alike  perish, 

And  leave  their  wealth  to  others. 
ii.     Their  inward  thought  is,  that  their  houses  shall  con- 
tinue for  ever, 

And  their  dwelling-places  to  all  generations; 

They  call  their  lands  after  their  own  names. 

12.  But  man  being  in  honor  abideth  not: 
He  is  like  the  beasts  that  perish. 

13.  This  their  way  is  their  folly: 

Yet  after  them  men  approve  their  sayings.        [Selah 

14.  They  are  appointed  as  a  flock  for  Sheol; 
Death  shall  be  their  shepherd: 

And  the  upright  shall  have  dominion  over  them  in  the 

morning; 
And  their  beauty  shall  be  for  Sheol  to  consume, 
That  there  be  no  habitation  for  it. 

15.  But  God  will  redeem  my  soul  from  the  power  of  Sheol; 
For  he  will  receive  me.  [Selah 

16.  Be  not  thou  afraid  when  one  is  made  rich, 
When  the  glory  of  his  house  is  increased: 

17.  For  when  he  dieth  he  shall  carry  nothing  away; 
His  glory  shall  not  descend  after  him. 

18.  Though  while  he  lived  he  blessed  his  soul 

(And  men  praise  thee,  when  thou  doest  well  to  thyself), 

19.  He  shall  go  to  the  generation  of  his  fathers; 
They  shall  never  see  the  light. 

20.  Man  that  is  in  honor,  and  understandeth  not, 
Is  like  the  beasts  that  perish. 


Psalm  XLIX. 

1-5.     Let  there  be  attention  to  the  following:  P.  P. 

2-4.  By  the  sons  of  man  —  homo  —  are  signified  spiritual 
truths  which  are  from  the  Lord  by  the  Word,  which  are 
doctrinals,  and  by  the  sons  of  man  —  vir  —  are  signified 
rational  and  natural  truths,  which  are  from  the  under- 
standing, thus  the  understanding  of  the  Word.      By  the 


PSALM    XLIX.  l8l 

rich  and  needy  are  signified  those  who  attain  much  wisdom 
from  them,  and  those  who  attain  but  little.  E.  724. 

5.  See  Psalm  xxxiii.  2,  3.  R.  276. 

6.  By  heel  is  meant  the  lowest  natural  or  the  corporeal. 

A.  259. 

6,  7.  Respecting  those  who  are  merely  natural,  and  boast 
of  knowledges  and  their  own  intelligence.  P.  P. 

8.  The  propitiatory  signifies  cleansing  from  evils,  thus  the 
remission  of  sins.  But  it  is  to  be  noted  that  those  expia- 
tions were  not  real  cleansings  from  evils,  nor  remissions 
of  sins,  but  that  they  represented  them.  A.  9506. 

8-10.     No  salvation  comes  from  that  source.  P.  P. 

8,  16.  A  brother  cannot  ransom  a  man,  but  God  will  ran- 
som my  soul  from  the  hand  of  hell.  D.  P.,  Page  87. 

9.  See  Psalm  xxxvi.  8.  R.  789. 
11.     A  beast  of  burden  also,  in  the  original  tongue,  is  an 

expression  derived  from  what  is  brutish  and  foolish,  thus 

from  what  is  only  to  a  small  degree  Conscious.      A.  9140. 

11-14.     However  much  they  may  boast  of  such  things,  they 

perish.  P.  P. 

15.     and  come  into  hell.  P.  P. 

See  Psalm  ix.  14.  A.  61 19. 

See  Psalm  vi.  6.  E.  186. 

15,  16.     See  Psalm  xviii.  5,  6.  R.  321. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  5,  6.  R.  870. 

16.  See  Psalm  xxxi.  6,  add:  The  Lord  as  to  the  Human 
is  the  Redeemer.  R.  281. 

See  Psalm  xix.  15.  R.  613.  ■ 

Here  to  redeem  from  the  power  of  the  grave  or  hell 

means  to  liberate.     To  receive  denotes  to  claim  for  his 

own  and  to  conjoin  them  to  himself,  or  to  cause  them  to 

be  His,  as  servants  sold  and  redeemed.  E.  328. 

Salvation  is  solely  in  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

17-21.     Knowledge  and  one's  own  intelligence  does  not 

save  after  death.  P.  P. 


1 82  PSALM   L. 

PSALM  L. 

A  Psalm  of  Asaph. 

i.     The  Mighty  One,  God,  Jehovah,  hath  spoken, 

And  called  the  earth  from  the  rising  of  the  sun  unto 
the  going  down  thereof. 

2.  Out  of  Zion,  the  perfection  of  beauty, 
God  hath  shined  forth. 

3.  Our  God  cometh,  and  doth  not  keep  silence: 
A  fire  devoureth  before  him, 

And  it  is  very  tempestuous  round  about  him. 

4.  He  calleth  to  the  heavens  above, 

And  to  the  earth,  that  he  may  judge  his  people: 

5.  Gather  my  saints  together  unto  me, 

Those  that  have  made  a  covenant  with  me  by  sacrifice. 

6.  And  the  heavens  shall  declare  his  righteousness; 

For  God  is  judge  himself.  [Selah 

7.  Hear,  O  my  people,  and  I  will  speak; 

0  Israel,  and  I  will  testify  unto  thee; 

1  am  God,  even  thy  God. 

8.  I  will  not  reprove  thee  for  thy  sacrifices; 

And  thy  burnt-offerings  are  continually  before  me. 

9.  I  will  take  no  bullock  out  of  thy  house, 
Nor  he-goats  out  of  thy  folds. 

10.  For  every  beast  of  the  forest  is  -mine, 
And  the  cattle  upon  a  thousand  hills. 

11.  I  know  all  the  birds  of  the  mountains; 
And  the  wild  beasts  of  the  field  are  mine. 

12.  If  I  were  hungry,  I  would  not  tell  thee; 

For  the  world  is  mine,  and  the  fulness  thereof. 

13.  Will  I  eat  the  flesh  of  bulls, 
Or  drink  the  blood  of  goats  ? 

14.  Offer  unto  God  the  sacrifice  of  thanksgiving; 
And  pay  thy  vows  unto  the  Most  High; 

15.  And  call  upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble: 

I  will  deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt  glorify  me. 

16.  But  unto  the  wicked  God  saith, 

What  hast  thou  to  do  to  declare  my  statutes, 

And  that  thou  hast  taken  my  covenant  in  thy  mouth, 


PSALM   L.  183 

17.  Seeing  that  thou  ha  test  instruction, 
And  castest  my  words  behind  thee  ? 

18.  When  thou  sawest  a  thief,  thou  consentedst  with  him, 
And  hast  been  partaker  with  adulterers. 

19.  Thou  givest  thy  mouth  to  evil, 
And  thy  tongue  frameth  deceit. 

20.  Thou  sittest  and  speakest  against  thy  brother; 
Thou  slanderest  thine  own  mother's  son. 

21.  These  things  hast  thou  done,  and  I  kept  silence; 
Thou  thoughtest  that  I  was  altogether  such  a  one  as 

thyself: 
But  I  will  reprove  thee,  and  set  them  in  order  before 
thine  eyes. 

22.  Now  consider  this,  ye  that  forget  God, 

Lest  I  tear  you  in  pieces,  and  there  be  none  to  deliver: 

23.  Whoso  offereth  the  sacrifice  of  thanksgiving  glorifieth 

me; 
And  to  him  that  ordereth  his  way  aright 
Wrill  I  show  the  salvation  of  God. 


Psalm   L. 

,  The  reason  why  from  the  rising  of  the  sun  unto  the  going 
down  thereof  signifies  all,  from  first  to  the  last,  who  are 
in  the  good  of  love  to  the  Lord  is  because  all  who  are  in 
heaven  have  their  habitations  according  to  the  quarters, 
and  they  who  are  in  the  good  of  love  to  the  Lord  dwell 
from  the  east  to  the  west,  in  the  east  those  who  are  in  the 
clear  good  of  love,  and  in  the  west  those  who  are  in  the 
obscure  good  of  love.  E.  401. 

In  very  many  passages  the  north  and  south  are  not 
mentioned  but  only  the  east  and  west,  by  which  are  under- 
stood all  who  are  in  the  good  of  love  to  the  Lord,  and  in  the 
good  of  charity  toward  the  neighbour.  These  quarters 
also  involve  the  two  others,  because  all  who  are  in  good 
also  are  in  truths,  for  good  and  truth  everywhere  act  as 
a  one.  E.  422. 


1 84  PSALM  L. 

i,  2.    See  Psalm  xl.  8.  Coro.  60. 

1-5.     See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  R.  612. 

These  words  treat  manifestly  of  judgment  upon  all 
from  Zion,  thus  from  the  Lord  by  Divine  truth.  The 
separation  of  the  good  from  the  evil  is  understood  by  call- 
ing the  earth  from  the  rising  of  the  sun  to  its  setting. 
Judgment  upon  all  is  signified  by  crying  to  the  heaven 
upwards  and  to  the  earth  to  judge  the  people.  The  gath- 
ering together  of  the  good  and  their  salvation  is  under- 
stood by,  gather  my  saints  unto  me.  The  Divine  truth 
in  which  the  Lord  is  in  His  glory  is  understood  by  out  of 
Zion  the  perfection  of  beauty,  God  shall  shine  forth. 

E.  850. 

1-6.  The  Lord  will  come  for  judgment  to  those  with  whom 
is  the  church.  P.  P. 

2-6.     Verses  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  72. 

3.     See  Psalm  xi.  6.  R.  343. 

See  Psalm  xi.  6.  E.  419. 

See  Psalm  xi.  6.  E.  504. 

5,  16.  The  goods  which  the  sons  of  Israel  should  enjoy  if 
they  kept  the  precepts  and  statutes,  and  afterwards  the 
evils  which  should  come  upon  them  if  they  did  not  keep 
them.  The  covenant  is  mentioned  and  thereby  are  sig- 
nified the  external  rites  which  the  sons  of  Israel  were  to 
observe.  E.  701. 

7-13.  The  Lord  does  not  desire  sacrifices  and  external 
worship.  P.  P. 

9-14.  The  reason  why  wild  beasts  in  the  Word  signify 
also  the  affections  of  truth  and  good  is,  because  the  ex- 
pression from  which  they  are  so  named  and  called  in  the 
original  tongue  signifies  life,  for  wild  beast  in  that  tongue 
is  called  "chajah,"  and  chajah  signifies  life.  E.  t,88. 

9,  13,  14.     See  Psalm  xl.  7,  8.  A.  2180. 

10,  11.  Here  the  wild  animals  of  my  field  with  me  or  with 
God  stand  for  the  regenerated  man,  thus  for  what  is  living 
in  him.  A.  908. 


PSALM   L.  185 

Since  by  wild  beast  is  signified  the  false,  and  the  false 
is  of  a  twofold  origin,  namely  from  evil  and  from  honesty, 
therefore  by  wild  beasts  in  the  Word  are  also  signified 
the  well-disposed  nations,  which  although  they  are  in  the 
false,  are  yet  in  probity  of  life.  In  this  sense  the  term  wild 
beast  is  here  used.  A.  9335. 

In  the  spiritual  world  a  man's  affections  appear  at  a 
distance  like  beasts,  and  beasts  viewed  in  themselves  are 
nothing  but  forms  of  natural  affections,  but  men  are  not 
only  forms  of  natural  affections,  but  also  of  spiritual  at 
the  same  time.  R.  567. 

These  things  are  indeed  said  concerning  sacrifices,  and 
that  the  Lord  does  not  delight  in  them,  but  in  confession 
of  the  heart  and  invocation,  but  still  by  the  wTild  beast  of 
the  forest  and  beast  in  the  mountains,  and  by  the  bird  of 
the  mountains  and  wild  beast  of  the  field  are  signified  the 
affections,  such  as  appertain  to  the  man  of  the  church. 

E.  650. 
11.     See  Psalm  viii.  7-9.  R.  757. 

By  birds  are  signified  things  rational  and  intellectual, 
thoughts,  ideas  and  reasonings,  thus  truths  or  falses. 

E.  1 100. 

11,  12.     The  states  of  the  church  are  described  by  beasts. 

Coro.  3. 

12.  These  things  are  said  concerning  sacrifices,  that  the 
Lord  does  not  delight  in  them,  but  in  confession  and 
works,  for  it  follows  —  see  verses  13  and  14.  If  I  should 
be  hungry  signifies  if  I  should  desire  sacrifices,  but  since 
the  Lord  desires  worship  from  goods  and  truths,  it  is 
said,  for  the  world  is  mine  and  the  fulness  thereof,  fulness 
signifying  goods  and  truths  in  their  wThole  complex.  This 
is  said  indeed  concerning  the  beasts  which  should  be 
sacrificed,  but  by  them,  in  the  spiritual  sense,  are  signified 
various  kinds  of  good  and  truth.  E.  741. 

14.     See  Psalm  vii.  18.  A.  8153. 

14,  15.     He  desires  confession  of  the  heart.  P.  P. 


1 86  PSALM   L. 

14,  23.  The  votive  sacrifices,  which  were  another  kind  of 
peace  offering,  in  the  external  sense  signified  recompense, 
in  the  internal  sense  the  will  that  the  Lord  should  provide, 
and  in  the  supreme  sense  a  state  of  providence.  This  is 
why  mention  is  made  of  each  in  the  Word  throughout. 

A.  3880. 

16-20.  External  worship  is  of  no  avail,  so  long  as  evils  are 
committed.  P.  P. 

17-19.  Speaking  of  a  wicked  person  and  running  with  a 
thief  meaning  to  alienate  truth  from  himself  by  falsity. 

A.  5*35- 

The  last  state  of  the  church  is  called  a  thief  who  will 

climb  up  into  the  houses  and  enter  in  at  the  windows, 

namely,  that  it  is  falsity,  which  will  then  take  possession 

of  the  whole  man,  both  his  voluntary  and  his  intellectual, 

and  thus  will  take  away  all  truth  and  good.  A.  8906. 

19.     See  Psalm  v.  7.  R.  624. 

See  Psalm  v.  7.  E.  866. 

22.     They  do  evils  and  therefore  evil  befalls  them.       P.  P. 


PSALM  LI. 


For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  David;  when   Nathan   the 
prophet  came  unto  him,  after  he  had  gone  in  to  Bath-sheba. 

i.     Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  God,  according  to  thy  loving- 
kindness  : 
According  to  the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies  blot 
out  my  transgressions. 

2.  Wash  me  thoroughly  from  mine  iniquity, 
And  cleanse  me  from  my  sin. 

3.  For  I  know  my  transgressions; 
And  my  sin  is  ever  before  me. 

4.  Against  thee,  thee  only,  have  I  sinned, 
And  done  that  which  is  evil  in  thy  sight; 

That  thou  mayest  be  justified  when  thou  speakest, 
And  be  clear  when  thou  judgest. 


PSALM   LI.  187 

5.  Behold,  I  was  brought  forth  in  iniquity; 
And  in  sin  did  my  mother  conceive  me. 

6.  Behold,  thou  desirest  truth  in  the  inward  parts; 

And  in  the  hidden  part  thou  wilt  make  me  to  know 
wisdom. 

7.  Purify  me  with  hyssop,  and  I  shall  be  clean: 
Wash  me,  and  I  shall  be  whiter  than  snow. 

8.  Make  me  to  hear  joy  and  gladness, 

That  the  bones  which  thou  hast  broken  may  rejoice. 

9.  Hide  thy  face  from  my  sins, 
And  blot  out  all  mine  iniquities. 

10.  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God; 
And  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me. 

11.  Cast  me  not  away  from  thy  presence; 
And  take  not  thy  holy  Spirit  from  me. 

12.  Restore  unto  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation; 
And  uphold  me  with  a  willing  spirit. 

13.  Then  will  I  teach  transgressors  thy  ways; 
And  sinners  shall  be  converted  unto  thee. 

14.  Deliver  me  from  blood-guiltiness,  O  God,  thou  God 

of  my  salvation; 
And  my  tongue  shall  sing  aloud  of  thy  righteousness. 

15.  O  Lord,  open  thou  my  lips; 

And  my  mouth  shall  show  forth  thy  praise. 

16.  For  thou  delightest  not  in  sacrifice;,  else  would  I  give  it: 
Thou  hast  no  pleasure  in  burnt-offering. 

17.  The  sacrifices  of  God  are  a  broken  spirit: 

A  broken  and  a  contrite  heart,  O  God,  thou  wilt  not 
despise. 

18.  Do  good  in  thy  good  pleasure  unto  Zion: 
Build  thou  the  walls  of  Jerusalem. 

19.  Then  wilt  thou  delight  in  the  sacrifices  of  righteousness, 
In  burnt-offering  and  whole  burnt-offering: 

Then  will  they  offer  bullocks  upon  thine  altar. 


1 88  PSALM   LI. 


Psalm    LI. 


1-7.    Prayer  that  He  may  be  purified  of  the  infirmities 
derived  from  the  mother.  P.  P. 

4,  5.     Iniquity  stands  for  evil  against  the  goods  of  faith, 
sin  means  evil  against  the  goods  of  charity  and  love,  and 
transgression  evil  against  the  truths  of  faith,  since  this 
latter  is  evil  proceeding  from  a  perverse  understanding, 
and  is  thus  known  from  the  truths  of  faith.     It  is  there- 
fore said,  I  acknowledge  my  transgressions.  A.  9156. 
4,  9.     Here  being  washed  plainly  stands  for  being  purified 
from  evils  and  their  falsities.                                     A.  3147- 
To  be  washed  signifies  to  be  cleansed  from  evils  and 
falsities,  and  so  to  be  reformed  and  regenerated.    R.  378. 
That  the  washing  of  man's  spirit  was  meant  by  that  of 
his  body,  and  that  the  internals  of  the  church  were  repre- 
sented by  externals,  such  as  were  in  the  Israelitish  church, 
is  clearly  manifest  from  these  words  of  the  Lord.  T.  671. 
To  wash  manifestly  means  to  purify  from  falsities  and 
evils.     To  wash  from  iniquity  stands  for  purification  from 
falsities,  and  from  sin  from  evils.     Since  the  waters  of 
expiation  were  prepared  from  hyssop,  it  is  therefore  also 
said,  purge  me  with  hyssop  and  I  shall  be  clean.       E.  475. 
6.     What  is  interiorly  pure  is  signified.                    A.  10296. 
8.     See  Psalm  vii.  10.                                                  A.  5385. 
See  Psalm  vii.  10.                                                A.  10032. 
See  Psalm  vii.  10.  R.  140. 
See  Psalm  vii.  10,  add:  here  the  reins  are  expressed  by 
another  word  in  the  original  tongue,  which  involves  both 
the  separation  of  falsities  from  truths,  and  of  evils  from 
goods.     Hence  it  is  clear  that  the  reins  signify  purifica- 
tion and  separation.  E.  167. 
8,  9.     White  signifies  truth,  and  truths  are  what  detect  fal- 
sities and  evils  pertaining  to  man,  and  so  purify  him. 

E.  196. 
8-12.     If  He  be  purified  of  them  He  will  be  pure.        P.  P. 


PSALM  LI.  189 

9.  Washing  and  being  made  whiter  than  snow  stands  for 
being  purified  from  sins  by  the  reception  and  putting  on 
of  the  Lord's  justice.  A.  4007. 

That  hyssop  is  a  means  of  purification  is  very  manifest. 
Being  purged  with  hyssop  and  made  clean  stands  for 
external  purification,  being  washed  and  made  whiter  than 
snow  for  internal  purification.  Snow  and  whiteness  are 
predicated  of  truth.  A.  7918. 

Snow  is  predicated  of  truth  from  its  whiteness. 

A.  8459- 
See  Psalm  xlix.  8.  A.  9506. 

10.  The  exulting  of  the  bones  which  were  bruised  signifies 
recreation  by  truths  after  temptations.  A.  3812. 

Since  joy  is  predicated  of  good  and  gladness  of  truth, 
both  are  mentioned,  otherwise  one  expression  would  have 
been  sufficient.  Such  is  the  holy  manner  of  speech  which 
is  found  in  the  Word,  to  the  end  that  in  each  single  expres- 
sion there  may  be  the  heavenly  marriage,  that  is  the  mar- 
riage of  good  and  truth.  A.  8339. 

Both  joy  and  gladness  are  mentioned,  because  joy  is 
predicated  of  good  and  gladness  of  truth,  or  joy  is  of  love 
and  gladness  is  of  wisdom,  for  joy  is  of  the  heart,  and 
gladness  of  the  soul,  or  joy  is  of  the  will,  and  gladness  of 
the  understanding.  S.  87. 

See  Psalm  xl.  17.  R.  507. 

The  statement  under  S.  87  repeated  in  T.  252. 

See  Psalm  xl.  17.  E.  660. 

12.  To  create  in  the  Word  signifies  to  reform  and  to  re- 
generate. R.  254. 

To  be  created  also  signifies  to  be  regenerated.    T.  573. 

Since  the  creation  of  the  universe  had  for  its  end  an 
angelic  heaven  from  the  human  race,  and  at  the  same 
time  a  church  on  earth,  and  since  the  salvation  of  man  is 
thus  a  continuation  of  creation,  therefore,  throughout  the 
Word  use  is  made  of  the  term  to  create,  and  its  meaning 
is  to  form  for  heaven.  T.  773. 


190  PSALM    LI. 

12  To  create  a  clean  heart  signifies  to  reform  as  to  the  good 
of  love,  to  renew  a  right  spirit  within  signifies  to  reform 
as  to  the  truth  of  faith,  for  the  heirt  signifies  the  good  of 
love,  and  the  spirit  a  life  according  to  Divine  truth,  which 
is  the  truth  of  faith.  E.  294. 

To  create  signifies  to  produce  anew  to  form  and  prop- 
erly to  regenerate,  on  which  account  it  is  that  regeneration 
is  a  new  creation,  by  which  the  universal  heaven  formed 
of  angels,  and  the  universal  church  formed  of  men  exists, 
consists,  and  subsists.  Coro.  23. 

12,  13.  Since  the  understanding  corresponds  to  the  lungs 
and  hence  thought  to  the  respiration  of  the  lungs,  there- 
fore by  soul  and  spirit  in  the  Word  is  signified  the  under- 
standing.    The  heart  signifies  the  love  of  the  will. 

w.  383. 

12-14.     See  Psalm  xxxi.  6.  L.  49. 

Verses  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  77. 

12-14,  19.  A  clean  heart  stands  for  a  will  averse  to  evils, 
which  are  things  unclean.  A  firm  spirit  stands  for  the 
understanding  and  faith  of  truth.  A  broken  spirit  and  a 
broken  heart  stand  for  a  state  of  temptation  and  the  con- 
sequent humiliation  of  each  life.  A.  9818. 
Heart  signifies  the  good  of  love  and  spirit  the  truth  of 
faith,  from  which  man  has  spiritual  life,  for  there  are  two 
things  which  constitute  the  life  of  man,  namely,  good  and 
truth  united.  E.  183. 

12,  14.  The  operation  of  these  virtues  —  reformation  and 
regeneration  —  is  the  Holy  Spirit  that  the  Lord  sends  to 
those  who  believe  in  Him  and  who  dispose  themselves  to 
receive  Him,  and  it  is  meant  by  the  spirit  in  these  passages. 

T.  143- 

13.  In  the  Old  Testament  the  Holy  Spirit  is  nowhere  men- 
tioned, but  only  the  Spirit  of  Holiness  in  Psalm  li.  and 
twice  in  Isaiah  lxiii.  T.  158. 

13,  14.     And  He  is  holy.  P.  P. 

15-17.     So  will  He  teach  Divine  truths.  P.  P. 


PSALM   LII.  191 

18,  19.  Not  external  but  internal  worship.  P.  P. 
See  Psalm  xl.  7,  8.  A.  2180. 
See  Psalm  xl.  7,  9.                                                  A.  9409. 

19,  By  spirit  is  meant  spiritual  life  for  those  who  are  in 
humiliation.  L.  49. 

Man's  spirit  is  his  mind  and  whatever  proceeds  from 
him.  T.  156. 

20,  21.  See  Psalm  xxvi.  6,  7.  R.  392. 
By  Zion  is  understood  the  church  that  is  principled  in 

the  good  of  love,  and  by  Jerusalem  the  church  which  is 
principled  in  the  truths  of  doctrine.  Hence  by,  "  do  good 
in  thy  good  pleasure  unto  Zion,  build  thou  the  walls  of 
Jerusalem,"  is  signified  to  restore  the  church  by  leading  it 
into  the  good  of  love,  and  by  instruction  in  truths  of  doc- 
trine. Worship  from  the  good  of  love,  in  this  case,  is 
signified  by  verse  21.  Righteousness  is  predicated  of 
celestial  good,  and  burnt-offerings  signify  love.  Worship 
in  such  case  from  the  good  of  charity  is  signified  by,  then 
shall  they  offer  bullocks  upon  thine  altar.  Bullocks  sig- 
nify natural  spiritual  good,  which  good  is  the  good  of 
charity.  E.  391. 

He  will  institute  a  church  in  which  will  be  worship  from 
good.  P.  P. 


PSALM  LII. 


For  the  Chief  Musician.     Maschil  of  David;  when  Doeg  the  Edomite 

came  and  told  Saul,  and  said  unto  him,  David  is  come  to  the 

house  of  Ahimelech. 

1.  Why  boastest  thou  thyself  in  mischief,  O  mighty  man? 
The  lovingkindness  of  God  endureth  continually. 

2.  Thy  tongue  deviseth  very  wickedness, 
Like  a  sharp  razor,  working  deceitfully. 

3.  Thou  lovest  evil  more  than  good, 

And  lying  rather  than  to  speak  righteousness.       [Selah 


192  PSALM   LI  I. 

4.  Thou  Invest  all  devouring  words, 

0  thou  deceitful  tongue. 

5.  God  will  likewise  destroy  thee  for  ever; 

He  will  take  thee  up,  and  pluck  thee  out  of  thy  tent, 
And  root  thee  out  of  the  land  of  the  living.  [Selah 

6.  The  righteous  also  shall  see  it,  and  fear, 
And  shall  laugh  at  him,  saying, 

7.  Lo,  this  is  the  man  that  made  not  God  his  strength, 
But  trusted  in  the  abundance  of  his  riches. 

And  strengthened  himself  in  his  wickedness. 

8.  But  as  for  me,  I  am  like  a  green  olive-tree  in  the  house 

of  God: 

1  trust  in  the  lovingkindness  of  God  for  ever  and  ever. 

9.  I  will  give  thee  thanks  for  ever,  because  thou  hast  done 

And  I  will  hope  in  thy  name,  for  it  is  good,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  thy  saints. 


Psalm   LII. 

1-8.     Respecting  hypocrites:  they  will  be  in  hell  and  will 
perish.  P.  P. 

4.         See  Psalm  v.  7.  A.  9013. 

4,  6.     See  Psalm  v.  7.  R.  624. 

See  Psalm  xxxvi.  4.  E.  866. 

7.     Heaven  because  it  lives  from  the  Lord  is  called  the  land 
of  the  living.  A.  290. 

See  Psalm  xv.  1,  2.  R.  585. 

Speaking  of  Doeg  the  Edomite,  that  he  should  be  ex- 
pelled from  all  the  good  of  the  church  and  also  from  all 
the  truths  thereof  is  signified  by  being  plucked  out  of  the 
tabernacle,  and  rooted  out  of  the  land  of  the  living,  the 
tabernacle  standing  for  good,  the  land,  the  church,  and 
the  living  those  who  are  in  truths  from  good.         E.  799. 

9.  So  likewise  those  who  trust  in  their  own  intelligence. 

P.  P. 

10.  That  by  green  or  growing  green  is  signified  living  or 
alive  is  manifest.  R.  401. 


PSALM   LIII.  193 

An  olive  signifies  love  and  charity,  because  the  olive 
tree  signifies  the  celestial  church.  R.  493. 

An  olive  tree  signifies  the  man  of  the  celestial  church. 

T.  468. 

See  Psalm  xxxvii.  35.  E.  507. 

It  is  said,  "as  a  green  olive  tree  in  tiie  house  of  God," 

because  by  the  green  olive  tree  is  signified  the  good  of 

love  springing  up  by  means  of  the  truths  of  the  Word,  and 

by  the  house  of  God  is  signified  the  church.  E.  638. 

10,  11.     Those  who  trust  in  the  Lord  will  flourish.      P.  P. 


PSALM  LIII. 

For  the  Chief  Musician;  set  to  Mahalath.     Maschil  of  David. 

i.     The  fool  hath  said  in  his  heart,  There  is  no  God. 

Corrupt  are  they,  and  have  done  abominable  iniquity; 
There  is  none  that  doeth  good. 

2.  God  looked  down  from  heaven  upon  the  children  of  men, 
To  see  if  there  were  any  that  did  understand, 

That  did  seek  after  God. 

3.  Every  one  of  them  is  gone  back;  they  are  together  be- 

come filthy; 
There  is  none  that  doeth  good,  no,  not  one. 

4.  Have  the  workers  of  iniquity  no  knowledge, 
Who  eat  up  my  people  as  they  eat  bread, 
And  call  not  upon  God  ? 

5.  There  were  they  in  great  fear,  where  no  fear  was; 

For  God  hath  scattered  the  bones  of  him  that  encamp- 
eth  against  thee: 

Thou  hast  put  them  to  shame,  because  God  hath  re- 
jected them. 

6.  Oh  that  the  salvation  of  Israel  were  come  out  of  Zion! 
When  God  bringeth  back  the  captivity  of  his  people, 
Then  shall  Jacob  rejoice,  and  Israel  shall  be  glad. 


I Q4  PSALM   LILT. 

Psalm   LIH. 

1-4.     Every  one  has  departed  from  God,  there  is  no  one 
left.  P.  P. 

5.  6.     They  have  destroyed  the  church  without  any  cause. 

P.  P. 

6.  See  Psalm  xxvii.  3.  A.  4236. 
See  Psalm  xxxiv.  8.  R.  862. 

7.  See  Psalm  xiv.  7.  R.  591. 
See  Psalm  xiv.  7.  R.  612. 
See  Psalm  xiv.  7.  E.  460. 
See  Psalm  xl.  17.  E.  660. 
See  Psalm  xiv.  7.  E.  811. 
See  Psalm  xiv.  7.  E.  850. 
Therefore  there  will  be  a  new  church  from  the  Lord. 

P.  P. 


PSALM  LIV. 


For  the  Chief  Musician;  on  stringed  instruments.     Maschil  of  David; 

when  the  Ziphites  came  and  said  to  Saul,  Doth  not  David  hide 

himself  with  us? 

1.  Save  me,  O  God,  by  thy  name, 
And  judge  me  in  thy  might. 

2.  Hear  my  prayer,  O  God; 

Give  ear  to  the  words  of  my  mouth. 

3.  For  strangers  are  risen  up  against  me, 
And  violent  men  have  sought  after  my  soul: 

They  have  not  set  God  before  them.  [Selah 

4.  Behold,  God  is  my  helper: 

The  Lord  is  of  them  that  uphold  my  soul. 

5.  He  will  requite  the  evil  unto  mine  enemies: 
Destroy  thou  them  in  thy  truth. 

6.  With  a  freewill-offering  will  I  sacrifice  unto  thee: 

I  will  give  thanks  unto  thy  name,  O  Jehovah,  for  it  is 
good. 

7.  For  he  hath  delivered  me  out  of  all  trouble; 

And  mine  eye  hath  seen  my  desire  upon  mine  enemies. 


PSALM   LIV.  195 

Psalm   LIV. 

1-5.  Prayer  to  the  Father  that  He  may  assist  against  those 
that  wish  to  destroy  Him.  P.  P. 

5.  Strangers  also  here  stand  for  evils  and  the  falses  of  evil, 
the  violent  for  the  same  offering  violence  to  goods  and 
truths.  They  who  look  at  the  sense  of  the  letter  of  the 
Word  alone  understand  nothing  else  by  strangers  but  those 
who  are  out  of  the  church,  and  that  they  rose  up  against 
David.  Nevertheless  there  does  not  anything  of  person 
enter  into  tne  heavens,  but  the  things  which  are  signified, 
thus  not  strangers  but  instead  of  them  strange  things, 
which  are  those  which  are  alienated  from  the  church,  thus 
evils  and  the  falses  of  evil  which  destroy  the  church.  By 
David  also  against  whom  they  arose,  is  perceived  the  Lord. 

A.  10287. 

5,  6.     See  Psalm  hi.  2,  3.  A.  10481. 

6,  7.     He  assists  against  them  and  they  will  perish.      P.  P. 

7,  See  Psalm  v.  10.  R.  44. 
That  all  true  internal  worship  is  not  from  compulsion, 

but  from  freedom,  and  that  if  worship  is  not  from  freedom 
it  is  not  internal  worship  is  evident  from  the  Word,  as 
from  the  sacrifices  which  were  free-will  offerings  or  vows, 
or  offerings  of  peace  or  thanksgiving,  which  were  called 
gifts  and  offerings.  A.  1947. 

See  Psalm  xlvii.  10.  T.  495. 

A  song  in  praise  of  assistance.  P.  P. 


196  PSALM   LV. 

PSALM  LV. 

For  the  Chief  Musician;  on  stringed  instruments.     Maschil  of  David. 

1.  Give  ear  to  my  prayer,  0  God; 

And  hide  not  thyself  from  my  supplication. 

2.  Attend  unto  me,  and  answer  me: 

I  am  restless  in  my  complaint,  and  moan, 

3.  Because  of  the  voice  of  the  enemy, 
Because  of  the  oppression  of  the  wicked; 
For  they  cast  iniquity  upon  me, 
And  in  anger  they  persecute  me. 
My  heart  is  sore  pained  within  me: 

And  the  terrors  of  death  are  fallen  upon  me. 
5.     Fearfulness  and  trembling  are  come  upon  me, 
And  horror  hath  overwhelmed  me. 
And  I  said,  Oh  that  I  had  wings  like  a  dove! 
Then  would  I  fly  away,  and  be  at  rest. 
Lo,  then  would  I  wander  far  off, 

I  would  lodge  in  the  wilderness.  [Selah 

I  would  haste  me  to  a  shelter 
From  the  stormy  wind  and  tempest. 
Destroy,  O  Lord,  and  divide  their  tongue; 
For  I  have  seen  violence  and  strife  in  the  city. 
Day  and  night  they  go  about  it  upon  the  walls  thereof; 
Iniquity  also  and  mischief  are  in  the  midst  of  it. 
Wickedness  is  in  the  midst  thereof: 
Oppression  and  guile  depart  not  from  its  streets. 
For  it  was  not  an  enemy  that  reproached  me; 
Then  I  could  have  borne  it: 
Neither  was  it  he  that  hated  me  that  did    magnify 

himself  against  me; 
Then  I  would  have  hid  myself  from  him: 

13.  But  it  was  thou,  a  man  mine  equal, 
My  companion,  and  my  familiar  friend. 

14.  We  took  sweet  counsel  together; 

We  walked  in  the  house  of  God  with  the  throng. 

15.  Let  death  come  suddenly  upon  them, 
Let  them  go  down  alive  into  Sheol; 

For  wickedness  is  in  their  dwelling,  in  the  midst  of 
them. 


PSALM   LV. 


197 


16.  As  for  me,  I  will  call  upon  God; 
And  Jehovah  will  save  me. 

17.  Evening,  and  morning,  and  at  noonday,  will  I  com- 

plain, and  moan; 
And  he  will  hear  my  voice. 

18.  He  hath  redeemed  my  soul  in  peace  from  the  battle 

that  was  against  me; 
For  they  were  many  that  strove  with  me. 

19.  God  will  hear,  and  answer  them, 

Even  he  that  abideth  of  old,  [Selah 

The  men  who  have  no  changes, 
And  who  fear  not  God. 

20.  He  hath  put  forth  his  hands  against  such  as  were  at 

peace  with  him : 
He  hath  profaned  his  covenant. 

21.  His  mouth  was  smooth  as  butter, 
But  his  heart  was  war: 

His  words  were  softer  than  oil, 
Yet  were  they  drawn  swords. 

22.  Cast  thy  burden  upon  Jehovah,  and  he  will  sustain 

thee: 
He  will  never  suffer  the  righteous  to  be  moved. 

23.  But  thou,  O  God,  wilt  bring  them  down  into  the  pit 

of  destruction: 
Bloodthirsty  and  deceitful  men  shall  not  live  out  half 

their  days; 
But  I  will  trust  in  thee. 


Psalm   LV. 

1-6,  10.  The  grievousness  of  temptations  is  described,  in 
which  He  prays  to  the  Father.  P.  P. 

5,  6.  These  things  are  said  concerning  temptations  in 
which  evil  and  falses  break  in  from  hell  and  strike  with 
terror  for  fear  of  damnation,  for  the  good  are  terrified  and 
tremble  from  imminent  dangers  of  the  soul,  thus  from  the 
irruption  of  evils  into  the  thoughts  and  intentions  of  the 
will.     There  are  therefore  various  commotions  of  the 


198  PSALM  LV. 

mind  which  are  specially  signified  by  trepidations  of  the 
heart,  terrors  of  death,  fear,  trembling,  and  horror,  which 
are  mentioned  according  to  the  order  in  which  they 
succeed.  E.  677. 

6-8.  The  subject  here  treated  of  is  temptation  and  dis- 
tress. Fearfulness  and  trembling  describe  that  distress; 
the  investigation  of  truth  in  that  state  and  circumspection 
as  to  whither  he  may  turn  himself  is  signified  by  "  Oh 
that  I  had  wings  like  a  dove,  for  then  would  I  fly  away 
and  be  at  rest."  The  wTings  of  a  dove  stand  for  the  spir- 
itual affection  of  truth,  to  fly  away  and  be  at  rest  means 
to  rescue  the  life  thereby  from  damnation.  That  there 
is  as  yet  no  hope  of  deliverance  is  signified  by,  "  Lo,  then 
would  I  wander  far  off  and  remain  in  the  wilderness." 

E.  282. 

7-9.  He  would  fain  give  up  the  combats,  because  of  their 
grievousness.  P.  P. 

9.  See  Psalm  xi.  6.  R.  343. 
See  Psalm  xi.  6.  E.  419. 

10.  See  Psalm  xlviii.  2.  R.  194. 
10-12.  See  Psalm  xviii.  49.  A.  6353. 
10-15.     The  malice  of  the  hells  is  described.  P.  P. 

11.  12.  By  a  wall  is  signified  that  which  protects,  and  in 
speaking  of  the  church  the  Word  in  the  literal  sense  is 
signified.  R.  898. 

12.  See  Psalm  xvii.  1.  E.  866. 
16.  They  will  be  cast  down  into  hell.  P.  P. 
17-19,  23.     Prayer  to  the  Father,  and  He  will  bring  help, 

P.  P. 
18,  19.  Here  therefore  shall  be  adduced  the  passages  which 
prove  that  Jehovah  and  the  Lord  are  one,  and  because 
they  are  one  and  not  two,  that  the  Lord  from  eternity, 
who  is  Jehovah  himself,  is  by  the  assumption  of  the 
Human  the  Redeemer  and  Saviour.  Isaiah  lxiii.  16: 
Psalm  xix.  14:  Jeremiah  1.  34,  etc.  R.  281. 

See  Psalm  xix.  15.  R.  613. 


PSALM  LV.  199 

See  Psalm  xix.  15.  E.  328. 

19.  See  Psalm  iv.  7-9.  R.  306. 
In  the  celestial  sense  by  the  third  commandment  is 

meant  conjunction  with  the  Lord,  and  then  peace  because 
there  is  protection  from  hell,  for  by  Sabbath  is  signified 
rest,  and  in  this  highest  sense  peace.  The  Lord  is  there- 
fore called  the  Prince  of  peace,  and  also  He  calls  himself 
peace.  T.  303. 

Salvation  by  conjunction  with  the  Lord  is  signified, 
and  the  consequent  removal  of  evils  and  falsities.    E.  365. 

He  hath  ransomed  —  redeemed  —  my  soul  in  peace. 

D.  P.,  Page  87. 

20.  See  Psalm  xxii.  24.  R.  527. 
The  fear  of  Jehovah  signifies  worship  in  which  there  is 

sanctity  by  truths.  E.  696. 

20-22,  24.     against  the  evil  and  hypocrites.  P.  P. 

22.  A  smooth  or  alluring  mouth  is  predicated  of  falsity, 
and  the  heart  and  soft  things  therefrom  of  evil.     A.  3527. 

22,  24.  These  things  are  said  of  those  who  make  a  pre- 
tence of  good  affections  whilst  they  speak  falsities  by 
which  they  seduce.  By  the  words  of  their  mouth  being 
smoother  than  butter  is  signified  good  pretended  by  the 
affections,  butter  standing  for  the  good  of  external  affec- 
tion. Their  words  being  softer  than  oil  signifies  similar 
things,  oil  standing  for  the  good  of  internal  affection. 
Yet  were  they  drawn  swords  signifies  that  nevertheless 
they  are  falsities  destroying  good  and  truth,  drawn  swords 
signifying  falsities  destroying.  But  thou,  O  God,  shalt 
cast  them  down  into  the  pit  signifies  into  the  hell  where 
the  destructive  falsities  of  that  kind  prevail.  E.  537. 

24.  By  guile  is  signified  the  false  which  is  not  from  ignor- 
ance but  from  a  deliberate  purpose  of  deceiving,  as  is  the 
case  with  the  impious.  F.  866. 


200  PSALM   LVI. 


PSALM  LVI. 

For  the  Chief  Musician;  set  to  Jonath  elem  rehokim.     A  Psalm  of 
David.     Michtam;  when  the  Philistines  took  him  in  Gath. 

i.     Be  merciful  unto  me,  O  God;  for  man  would  swallow 
me  up: 
All  the  day  long  he  fighting  oppresseth  me. 

2.  Aline  enemies  would  swallow  me  up  all  the  day  long; 
For  they  are  many  that  fight  proudly  against  me. 

3.  What  time  I  am  afraid, 

I  will  put  my  trust  in  thee. 

4.  In  God  (I  will  praise  his  word), 

In  God  have  I  put  my  trust,  I  will  not  be  afraid; 
What  can  flesh  do  unto  me  ? 

5.  All  the  day  long  they  wrest  my  words: 
All  their  thoughts  are  against  me  for  evil. 

6.  They  gather  themselves  together,  they  hide  themselves, 
They  mark  my  steps, 

Even  as  they  have  waited  for  my  soul. 

7.  Shall  they  escape  by  iniquity  ? 

In  anger  cast  down  the  peoples,  O  God. 

8.  Thou  numberest  my  wanderings: 
Put  thou  my  tears  into  thy  bottle; 
Are  they  not  in  thy  book  ? 

9.  Then  shall  mine  enemies  turn  back  in  the  day  that  I 

call: 
This  I  know,  that  God  is  for  me. 

10.  In  God  (I  will  praise  his  word), 

In  Jehovah  (I  will  praise  his  word), 

11.  In  God  have  I  put  my  trust,  I  will  not  be  afraid, 
What  can  man  do  unto  me  ? 

12.  Thy  vows  are  upon  me,  O  God: 

I  will  render  thank-offerings  unto  thee. 

13.  For  thou  hast  delivered  my  soul  from  death: 
Hast  thou  not  delivered  my  feet  from  falling, 
That  I  may  walk  before  God 

In  the  light  of  the  living  ? 


PSALM   LVI.  20I 


Psalm   LVI. 

i.  The  case  with  the  Philistines  was  as  with  all  the  nations 
in  the  land  of  Canaan  that  they  represented  the  goods 
and  truths  of  the  church,  and  also  evils  and  falses,  for 
when  the  ancient  representative  church  was  among  them 
they  represented  the  celestial  things  which  are  of  good, 
and  the  spiritual  things  which  are  of  truth,  but  when  they 
turned  aside  from  genuine  representative  worship,  they 
then  began  to  represent  the  diabolical  things  which  are  of 
evil  and  the  infernal  things  which  are  of  the  false. 

A.  9340. 

1-5,  11,  12.  Temptations  of  the  Lord,  in  which  He  has 
confidence  in  the  Father.  P.  P. 

6,  7.     Malice  of  the  infernals.  P.  P. 

8,  9.     O  that  the  Father  would  help  in  affliction !  P.  P. 

10.     He  will  help.  P.  P. 

13.     See  Psalm  1.  14,  23.  A.  3880. 

13,  14.     Song  of  praise  for  protection.  P.  P. 

14.  Here  to  walk  before  God  is  to  walk  in  the  truth  of  faith 
which  is  the  light  of  the  living.  A.  519. 

To  walk  signifies  to  live,  and  to  walk  with  God  to  live 
with  Him,  because  from  Him.  R.  167. 

By  walking  in  the  spiritual  sense  is  signified  to  live. 
Ways  signify  truths.  E.  97. 

Death  stands  for  damnation,  and  life  for  salvation. 

E.  186. 

The  soul  signifies  the  life  of  the  spirit  of  man,  which  is 
called  his  spiritual  life.  E.  750. 


202  PSALM    LVII. 


PSALM  LVII. 

For  the   Chief   Musician;  set  to  Al-tashheth.     A    Psalm  of  David. 
Michtam;  when  he  fled  from  Saul,  in  the  cave. 

i.     Be  merciful  unto  me,  O  God,  be  merciful  unto  me; 
For  my  soul  taketh  refuge  in  thee; 
Yea,  in  the  shadow  of  thy  wings  will  I  take  refuge, 
Until  these  calamities  be  overpast. 

2.  I  will  cry  unto  God  Most  High, 

Unto  God  that  performeth  all  things  for  me. 

3.  He  will  send  from  heaven,  and  save  me, 

When  he  that  would  swallow  me  up  reproacheth; 

[Selah 
God  will  send  forth  his  lovingkindness  and  his  truth. 

4.  My  soul  is  among  lions; 

I  lie  among  them  that  are  set  on  fire, 

Even  the  sons  of  men,  whose  teeth  are  spears  and 

arrows, 
And  their  tongue  a  sharp  sword. 

5.  Be  thou  exalted,  O  God,  above  the  heavens; 
Let  thy  glory  be  above  all  the  earth. 

6.  They  have  prepared  a  net  for  my  steps; 
My  soul  is  bowed  down: 

They  have  digged  a  pit  before  me; 

They  are  fallen  into  the  midst  thereof  themselves. 

[Selah 

7.  My  heart  is  fixed,  O  God,  my  heart  is  fixed 
I  will  sing,  yea,  I  will  sing  praises. 

8.  Awake  up,  my  glory;  awake,  psaltery  and  harp: 
I  myself  will  awake  right  early. 

9.  I  will  give  thanks  unto  thee,   O   Lord,  among  the 

peoples: 
I  will  sing  praises  unto  thee  among  the  nations. 

10.  For  thy  lovingkindness  is  great  unto  the  heavens, 
And  thy  truth  unto  the  skies. 

11.  Be  thou  exalted,  O  God,  above  the  heavens; 
Let  thy  glory  be  above  all  the  earth. 


PSALM   LVII. 


Psalm  LVII. 


203 


1-6.     Prayer  to  the  Father  when  in  the  combats  of  tempta- 
tions with  the  hells  which  attack  Him.  P.  P. 

2.  See  Psalm  xvii.  8.  A.  8764. 
See  Psalm  xvii.  8.  R.  245. 
See  Psalm  xvii.  8.  E.  283. 

3.  See  Psalm  vii.  18.  A.  8153. 

4.  11.     See  Psalm  xxv.  10.  A.  6180. 

See  Psalm  xxxvi.  6.  A.  10577. 

5.  A  sword  in  the  opposite  sense  signifies  falsity  combating. 

A.  2799. 

A  lion  is  the  power  of  the  evil  of  self-love,  when  it  de- 
stroys and  lays  waste.  A.  6367. 

The  teeth  of  lions  stand  for  falsities  that  destroy  truths, 
lions  for  falsities  from  evil  in  their  potency.  A.  9052. 

Mention  is  often  made  in  the  Word  of  swords  and  noth- 
ing else  is  signified  by  them  but  truth  combating  against 
falsities  and  destroying  them.  In  the  opposite  sense  also 
falsity  fighting  against  truths.  R.  52. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  12.  R.  241. 

By  the  lion  is  signified  power.  Teeth  signify  the  ulti- 
ma tes  of  the  life  of  man  which  are  called  sensual  things, 
which  when  they  are  separated  from  the  interiors  of  the 
mind  are  in  mere  falsities,  and  offer  violence  to  truths  and 
destroy  them.  R.  435. 

That  sword  signifies  the  false  destroying  truth  is  man- 
ifest. E.  131. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  12.  E.  278. 

By  lions  in  this  passage  are  signified  those  who  plunder 
the  church  of  its  truths  and  thus  destroy  it.  By  the  sons 
of  men  who  are  set  on  fire  are  signified  those  who  are  in 
the  truths  of  the  church,  and  abstractedly  the  truths  them- 
selves which  are  said  to  be  inflamed  by  the  pride  of  self- 
derived  intelligence,  whence  arise  falsities.  Whose  teeth 
are  spears  and  arrows  signifies  reasonings  from  external 


204  PSALM   LVII. 

5  sensuals  and  so  from  the  fallacies  and  falsities  of  religion, 
by  which  truths  are  destroyed.  The  teeth  signify  the 
ultimates  of  the  life  of  man,  which  are  external  sensual 
things,  and  in  the  present  case  reasonings  grounded 
therein.  The  tongue  signifies  the  falsities  of  religion, 
wherefore  it  is  said  "and  their  tongue  a  sharp  sword"  for 
by  a  sword  is  signified  the  destruction  of  truth  by  falsities. 

E.  455- 

Here  by  lions  are  signified  those  »who  by  means  of  falsi- 
ties destroy  the  truths  of  the  chtfrch,  their  teeth  which  are 
said  to  be  spears  and  arrowy  signify  the  scientifics  which 
they  apply  to  confirm  falsities  and  evils  and  so  to  destroy 
the  truths  and  goods  of  the  church.  Their  tongue  a 
sharp  sword  signifies  crafty  reasons  from  falsities.  They 
are  called  a  sharp  sw7ord  because  a  sword  signifies  falsities 
destroying  truth.  E.  556. 

By  the  soul  here  is  also  signified  the  spiritual  life,  which 
is  the  life  of  faith,  thus  also  the  life  of  the  understanding, 
for  the  understanding  is  formed  from  truths  and  consists 
of  them,  as  also  faith.  Since  these  things  are  signified  by 
the  soul  and  the  subject  here  treated  of  is  concerning  the 
vastation  of  truth,  therefore  it  is  said,  I  lie  in  the  midst  of 
lions,  for  by  lions  are  here  signified  falses  destroying  the 
truths  of  the  church.  It  is  also  said,  the  sons  of  men  are 
set  on  fire,  the  sons  of  men  signifying  the  truths  of  doctrine 
and  of  the  church,  which  when  they  are  possessed  from  a 
corporeal  love  and  thereby  perish  are  said  to  be  set  on 
fire.  E.  750. 

The  tongue  of  the  impious  which  speaks  falses  from 
interior  evils  and  thereby  penetrates  and  disperses  truths 
is  also  compared  to  a  sharp  sword,  and  sharp  arrcws. 

E.  908. 
5,  7.     Their  malice  against  Him.  P.  P. 

8,  9.     Confidence  from  His  Divine.  P.  P. 

8-10.     See  Psalm  xxxiii.  2,  3.  R.  276. 

Songs  were  for  the  sake  of  the  exaltation  of  the  life  of 
love,  and  hence  of  joy.  R.  279. 


PSALM   LVIII.  205 

Confession  and  glorification  from  the  good  of  truth  or 
from  spiritual  good,  and  from  the  truth  of  good  or  from 
spiritual  truth  are  expressed  in  the  particulars  of  this  pas- 
sage. The  good  of  truth  is  expressed  by  singing,  by  being 
awaked  or  excited  by  the  psaltery,  and  by  confessing  unto 
the  Lord  among  the  people.  The  truth  of  good  is  ex- 
pressed by  singing,  by  being  excited  by  the  harp,  and  by 
singing  among  the  nations,  for  by  the  people  in  the  Word 
are  understood  those  who  are  in  truths,  and  by  nations 
those  who  are  in  good,  in  this  case  those  who  are  princi- 
pled in  spiritual  truth.  E.  323. 

See  Psalm  vii.  18.  E.  326. 

In  these  passages  also  mention  is  made  of  people  and 
nations  by  whom  are  understood  all  who  are  in  truths  and 
goods.  The  expressions  also  which  are  applied  to  people 
are  such  as  are  predicated  of  truths,  and  those  to  nations 
such  as  are  predicated  of  goods.  That  no  others  are 
understood  by  nations  is  evident  also  from  this  circum- 
stance, that  those  things  were  said  by  David,  who  was 
the  enemy  of  the  nation  of  the  Canaanites.  E.  331. 

10,  11.     See  Psalm  vii.  18.  A.  3880. 
10-12.     A  song  in  praise  of  the  Father  for  this  reason. 

P.  P. 

11.  See  Psalm  xxxvi.  E.  541. 


PSALM  LVIII. 


For  the   Chief   Musician;  set  to  Al-tashheth.     A   Psalm   of  David. 
Michtam. 

1 .  Do  ye  indeed  in  silence  speak  righteousness  ? 
Do  ye  judge  uprightly,  O  ye  sons  of  men? 

2.  Nay,  in  heart  ye  work  wickedness; 

Ye  weigh  out  the  violence  of  your  hands  in  the  earth. 

3.  The  wicked  are  estranged  from  the  womb: 

They  go  astray  as  soon  as  they  are  born,  speaking  lies. 


206  PSALM    LVIII. 

4.  Their  poison  is  like  the  poison  of  a  serpent: 

They  are  like  the  deaf  adder  that  stoppeth  her  ear, 

5.  Which  hearkeneth  not  to  the  voice  of  charmers, 
Charming  never  so  wisely. 

6.  Break  their  teeth,  O  God,  in  their  mouth: 

Break  out  the  great  teeth  of  the  young  lions,  O  Jehovah, 

7.  Let  them  melt  away  as  water  that  runneth  apace: 
When  he  aimeth  his  arrows,  let  them  be  as  though  they 

were  cut  off. 

8.  Let  them  be  as  a  snail  which  melteth  and  passeth  away, 
Like  the  untimely  birth  of  a  woman,  that  hath  not  seen 

the  sun. 

9.  Before  your  pots  can  feel  the  thorns, 

He  will  take  them  away  with  a  whirlwind,  the  green 
and  the  burning  alike. 

10.  The  righteous  shall  rejoice  when  he  seeth  the  vengeance : 
He  shall  wash  his  feet  in  the  blood  of  the  wicked; 

11.  So  that  men  shall  say,  Verily  there  is  a  reward  for  the 

righteous : 
Verily  there  is  a  God  that  judgeth  in  the  earth. 

Psalm  LVIII. 

1- 10.  Against  those  who  were  of  the  church  who  cherished 
evil  thoughts  against  the  Lord:  they  are  in  mere  falsities 
of  evil,  of  which  they  perish.  P.  P. 

3-6.     See  Psalm  xviii.  49.  A.  6353. 

3,  5.  Poison  in  the  Word  signifies  guile,  and  poisonous 
serpents  such  as  asps  or  adders,  cockatrices  and  vipers 
signify  those  who  are  full  of  guile.  A.  9013. 

4.  Being  estranged  from  the  womb  means  from  the  good 
which  is  of  the  church,  and  going  astray  from  the  belly 
means  going  astray  from  truth.  A.  4918. 

See  Psalm  xxii.  11.  E.  622. 

It  is  not  understood  that  the  impious  are  estranged 
from  the  womb  and  that  they  go  astray  from  the  belly, 
that  is  from  the  first  birth,  for  no  one  from  that  is  estranged 
from  God  and  goes  astray,  but  to  be  estranged  from  the 


PSALM   LVIII.  207 

womb  means  to  recede  from  good  to  evil  from  the  first 
day  when  they  could  be  reformed.  To  go  astray  from 
the  belly  means  to  recede  in  like  manner  from  truths  to 
falses.  To  speak  a  lie  also  signifies  to  believe  falses. 
The  reason  why  it  is  said  that  they  recede  from  the  first 
day  when  they  could  be  reformed  is,  because  the  Lord  is 
in  the  endeavour  to  reform  all,  whosoever  they  may  be, 
beginning  from  childhood  and  continuing  through  ado- 
lescence to  youth,  but  they  who  do  not  allow  themselves 
to  be  reformed  are  said  immediately  to  recede.  E.  710. 
4-6.  Reasonings  which  are  such  that  they  do  not  even  hear 
what  is  wise  or  the  voice  of  the  wise  are  here  called  the 
poison  of  a  serpent.  Hence  came  the  form  of  speech 
among  the  ancients  that  the  serpent  stoppeth  her  ear. 

A.  195. 
5.     Serpents  in  the  Word  signify  the  sensual  man  as  to 
craftiness  or  subtlety,  and  as  to  prudence.     In  these  pas- 
sages the  devil  or  hell  is  called  a  serpent.  E.  581. 
5,  6.     Enchantment   signifies   the   rejection   of   falsity   by 
truths,  which  was  also  done  by  tacitly  thinking  and  mut- 
tering charms  from  a  zeal  for  truth  against  falsity.  R.  462. 
Such  enchantments  the  prophets  were  skilled  in.     They 
also  used  them  to  excite  by  them  good  affections,  hearing, 
and  obedience,  and  these  enchantments  are  mentioned  in 
a  good  sense  in  the  Word.                                         E.  590. 
By  witchcraft  is  signified  nearly  the  same  as  by  incan- 
tation, and  incantation  signifies  such  persuasion  that  the 
person  persuaded  is  rendered  incapable  of  perceiving  any 
otherwise.                                                                  E.  1191. 
7.     See  Psalm  lvii.  5.                                                   A.  6367. 
Teeth  and  jaw  —  Joel  i.  6,  7  —  stand  for  the  falsities 
that  destroy  the  truths  of  the  church.                     A.  9052. 
See  Psalm  lvii.  5.                                                   R-  435- 
By  their  teeth  in  their  mouth  are  signified  the  scientifics 
from  which  they  produce  falsities.     The  great  teeth  of  the 
young  lions  signify  the  truths  of  the  Word  falsified,  which 


208  PSALM   LVIII. 

in  themselves  are  falsities  and  by  which  they  especially 
prevail  in  effecting  the  destruction  of  the  truths  of  the 
church.  E.  556. 

7,  8.     See  Psalm  xvii.  12.  R.  241. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  12.  E.  278. 

11,  12.  So  that  those  who  are  in  good  may  come  into  the 
church.  P.  P. 


PSALM  LIX. 


For  the   Chief   Musician;  set  to  Al-tashheth.     A    Psalm   of  David. 

Michtam;  when  Saul  sent,  and  they  watched  the  house  to  kill 

him. 

1.  Deliver  me  from  mine  enemies,  O  my  God: 

Set  me  on  high  from  them  that  rise  up  against  me. 

2.  Deliver  me  from  the  workers  of  iniquity, 
And  save  me  from  the  bloodthirsty  men. 

3.  For,  lo,  they  lie  in  wait  for  my  soul; 

The  mighty  gather  themselves  together  against  me: 
Not  for  my  transgression,  nor  for  my  sin,  O  Jehovah. 

4.  They  run  and  prepare  themselves  without  my  fault: 
Awake  thou  to  help  me,  and  behold. 

5.  Even  thou,  O  Jehovah  God  of  hosts,  the  God  of  Israel, 
Arise  to  visit  all  the  nations: 

Be  not  merciful  to  any  wicked  transgressors.     [Selah 

6.  They  return  at  evening,  they  howl  like  a  dog, 
And  go  round  about  the  city. 

7.  Behold,  they  belch  out  with  their  mouth; 
Swords  are  in  their  lips: 

For  who,  say  they,  doth  hear? 

8.  But  thou,  O  Jehovah,  wilt  laugh  at  them; 
Thou  wilt  have  all  the  nations  in  derision. 

9.  Because  of  his  strength  I  will  give  heed  unto  thee; 
For  God  is  my  high  tower. 

10.  My  God  with  his  lovingkindness  will  meet  me:^ 
God  will  let  me  see  my  desire  upon  mine  enemies. 

11.  Slay  them  not,  lest  my  people  forget: 

Scatter  them  by  thy  power,  and  bring  them  down, 
O  Lord  our  shield. 


PSALM   LIX.  209 

12.  For  the  sin  of  their  mouth,  and  the  words  of  their  lips, 
Let  them  even  be  taken  in  their  pride, 

And  for  cursing  and  lying  which  they  speak. 

13.  Consume  them  in  wrath,  consume  them,  so  that  they 

shall  be  no  more: 
And  let  them  know  that  God  ruleth  in  Jacob, 
Unto  the  ends  of  the  earth.  [Selah 

14.  And  at  evening,  let  them  return,  let  them  howl  like  a 

dog, 
And  go  round  about  the  city. 

15.  They  shall  wander  up  and  down  for  food, 
And  tarry  all  night  if  they  be  not  satisfied. 

16.  But  I  will  sing  of  thy  strength; 

Yea,   I  will  sing  aloud  of  thy  lovingkindness  in  the 

morning: 
For  thou  hast  been  my  high  tower, 
And  a  refuge  in  the  day  of  my  distress. 

17.  Unto  thee,  O  my  strength,  will  I  sing  praises: 
For  God  is  my  high  tower,  the  God  of  my  mercy. 

Psalm  LIX. 

1-7.  Prayer  to  the  Father  concerning  those  who  are  then 
of  the  church,  they  wish  to  destroy  and  slay  Him,  although 
He  is  innocent.  P.  P. 

2-4.     By  enemies  and  insurgents  are  signified  the  evils  and 

falses  which  are  from  hell.  A.  10481. 

See  Psalm  iii.  2,  3.  E.  671. 

6.  See  Psalm  xli.  14.  A.  7091. 
See  Psalm  xli.  14.  L.  39. 
See  Psalm  xli.  14.  T.  93. 
And  Thou  O  Jehovah,  God  of  hosts,  the  God  of  Israel, 

awake  to  visit  all  the  nations.  D.  P.,  Page  72. 

7,  15.  Dogs  stand  for  those  who  within  the  church  are  in 
the  lowest  place,  who  prate  much  about  the  things  of  the 
church  and  understand  little,  and  in  the  opposite  sense 
those  who  treat  with  contumely  the  things  of  faith. 

A.  7784. 


2IO  PSALM   LIX. 

7,  15,  16.     By  dogs  are  meant  the  vilest  men.  R.  952- 

8.  A  sword  in  the  opposite  sense  signifies  falsity  combating. 

A.  2799. 

By  a  sword  is  meant  the  devastation  of  truth  in  the 

church. 

Sword  signifies  the  false  destroying  truth. 
They  fight  from  falsities  against  truths. 
9-1 1.     Confidence  in  the  Father. 

12.  He  prays  for  them. 

13,  14.     They  destroy  themselves 

14.  See  Psalm  xiv.  7. 

15,  16.     by  malice. 
17.     See  Psalm  v.  4. 
17,  18.     Confidence  respecting  help. 


R. 

52. 

E.  1 

3i- 

P. 

P. 

P. 

P. 

P. 

P. 

P. 

P. 

L  42 

81. 

P. 

P. 

E.  1 

79- 

P. 

P. 

PSALM  LX. 


For  the  Chief  Musician;  set  to  Shushan  Eduth.  Michtam  of  David, 
to  teach;  when  he  strove  with  Aram-naharaim  and  with  Aram- 
zobah,  and  Joab  returned,  and  smote  of  Edom  in  the  Valley  of 
Salt  twelve  thousand. 

i.     O  God,  thou  hast  cast  us  off,  thou  hast  broken  us  down; 
Thou  hast  been  angry;  oh  restore  us  again. 

2.  Thou  hast  made  the  land  to  tremble;  thou  hast  rent  it; 
Heal  the  breaches  thereof;  for  it  shaketh. 

3.  Thou  hast  showed  thy  people  hard  things: 

Thou  hast  made  us  to  drink  the  wine  of  staggering. 

4.  Thou  hast  given  a  banner  to  them  that  fear  thee, 
That  it  may  be  displayed  because  of  the  truth. 

[Selah 

5.  That  thy  beloved  may  be  delivered, 
Save  with  thy  right  hand,  and  answer  us. 

6.  God  hath  spoken  in  his  holiness:  I  will  exult; 

I  will  divide   Shechem,  and  mete  out  the  valley  of 
Succoth. 


PSALM  LX.  211 

7.  Gilead  is  mine,  and  Manasseh  is  mine; 
Ephraim  also  is  the  defence  of  my  head; 
Judah  is  my  sceptre. 

8.  Moab  is  my  washpot; 

Upon  Edom  will  I  cast  my  shoe: 
Philistia,  shout  thou  because  of  me. 

9.  Who  will  bring  me  into  the  strong  city  ? 
Who  hath  led  me  unto  Edom  ? 

10.     Hast  not  thou,  O  God,  cast  us  off? 

And  thou  goest  not  forth,  O  God,  with  our  hosts. 
n.     Give  us  help  against  the  adversary; 

For  vain  is  the  help  of  man. 
12.     Through  God  we  shall  do  valiantly; 

For  he  it  is  that  will  tread  down  our  adversaries. 


Psalm  LX. 

1-5.     Lamentation  of  the  Lord,  that  He  has  been  forsaken, 

together  with  the  church.  P.  P. 

3.         See  Psalm  ii.  12.  A.  8286. 

3,  4.     See  Psalm  xxvii.  13.  R.  285. 

That  these  things  are  said  of  the  church  and  not  of  the 
earth  is  evident.  E.  304. 

Here  the  falling  away  of  the  church,  and  thence  the 
irruption  of  falsities  and  the  perversion  of  truth  are  sig- 
nified by  the  breaches  which  were  to  be  healed.  The 
earth  stands  for  the  church.  E.  400. 

4.  Breach  signifies  damage  done  to  the  goods  and  truths 
of  faith,  thus  to  the  church,  to  heal  is  to  amend  and  to 
restore.  A.  9163. 

6.  "for  a  hundred  pieces  of  money."  Genesis  xxxiii.  19, 
in  the  original  for  a  hundred  kesitah.  Kesitah  is  derived 
from  a  word  which  signifies  truth  in  Psalm  lx.  6.    A.  4400. 

6,  7.     Confidence  respecting  deliverance.  P.  P. 

8.     Succoth  signifies  tents,  and  tents  the  holy  of  truth. 

A.  4392. 


212  PSALM  LX. 

8,  9.     Ephraim  stands  for  the  intellectual  of  the  church  and 
Manasseh  for  its  voluntary.  A.  5354. 

8-10.     By  Shechem  is  signified  the  first  state  of  light. 

A.  1441. 
The  washpot  stands  for  good  defiled  by  falsities. 

A.  2468. 
8-1 1.     A  church  internal  and  external  is  being  instituted. 
In  the  highest  sense  respecting  the  Human  of  the  Lord, 
that  it  will  be  made  Divine.  P.  P. 

Because  Gilead  was  a  boundary  it  signifies  in  the  spir- 
itual sense  the  first  good,  which  is  that  of  the  senses  of 
the  body,  for  it  is  the  good  or  the  pleasure  of  these  into 
which  the  man  who  is  being  regenerated  is  first  of  all 
initiated.  A.  41 17. 

Judah  a  lawgiver  is  celestial  good  and  its  truth. 

A.  6372. 
The  understanding  of  the  Word  both  true  and  false  is 
described  in  the  prophets  by  Ephraim,  especially  in  Hosea, 
for  Ephraim  in  the  Word  signifies  the  understanding  of 
the  Word  in  the  church.  Since  the  understanding  of  the 
Word  makes  the  church,  therefore  Ephraim  is  called  a 
dear  son  and  a  pleasant  child  in  Jeremiah  xxxi.  20  and 
here  "the  strength  of  the  head  of  Jehovah."  S.  79. 

Manasseh  signifies  the  voluntary  of  the  church,  he  also 
signifies  act,  for  the  will  is  the  effort  of  every  act,  and 
where  there  is  effort  there  is  action  when  it  is  ppssible. 

R-  355- 
The  statement  under  S.  79  repeated  in  T.  247. 

By  Manasseh  is  here  signified  the  good  of  the  church, 
by  Ephraim  the  truth  thereof,  and  by  Gilead  the  natural. 
Since  truth  from  natural  good  has  Divine  power,  therefore 
it  is  said,  Ephraim  is  the  strength  of  my  head.  The  reason 
why  Divine  power  is  by  truth  from  good  in  the  natural  is, 
because  the  natural  is  the  ultimate  into  which  things 
interior,  which  are  celestial  and  spiritual  flow,  and  in 
which  they  exist  and  subsist  together,  and  consequently 


PSALM   LXI.  213 

are  in  their  fulness,  in  which  and  from  which  is  all  Divine 
operation.  E.  440. 

10.  The  shoe  represented  the  ultimate  natural  and  cor- 
poreal which  was  to  be  put  off.  That  it  is  the  unclean 
natural  and  corporeal  is  also  plain  here.  A.  1748. 

See  Psalm  lvi.  1.  A.  9340. 

10-12.  Edom  stands  for  the  good  of  the  natural  which  is 
manifest  from  the  signification  of  shoe,  as  the  lowest 
natural.  A.  3322. 

12.  from  His  own  power,  P.  P. 

13.  14.     and  from  His  Divine.  P.  P. 

14.  See  Psalm  xliv.  6,  add:  which  is  effected  by  those 
who  are  corporeal  sensual,  for  they  who  are  of  such  a 
character  tread  under  foot  all  things  of  heaven  and  the 
church,  for  they  are  in  the  lowest  principles,  neither  can 
their  thoughts  be  elevated  upward  by  the  Lord,  for  they 
themselves  let  them  down  to  the  earth,  and  there  they 
lick  the  dust.  E.  632. 


PSALM    LXI. 


For  the  Chief  Musician;  on   a  stringed  instrument.     A   Psalm  of 

David. 

1.  Hear  my  cry,  O  God; 
Attend  unto  my  prayer. 

2.  From  the  end  of  the  earth  will  I  call  unto  thee,  when  my 

heart  is  overwhelmed: 
Lead  me  to  the  rock  that  is  higher  than  I. 

3.  For  thou  hast  been  a  refuge  for  me, 
A  strong  tower  from  the  enemy. 

4.  I  will  dwell  in  thy  tabernacle  for  ever: 

I  will  take  refuge  in  the  covert  of  thy  wings.  [Selah 

5.  For  thou,  O  God,  hast  heard  my  vows: 

Thou  hast  given  me  the  heritage  of  those  that  fear  thy 
name. 


214  PSALM   LXI. 

6.  Thou  wilt  prolong  the  king's  life; 

His  years  shall  be  as  many  generations. 

7.  He  shall  abide  before  God  for  ever: 

Oh  prepare  lovingkindness  and  truth,  that  they  may 
preserve  him. 

8.  So  will  I  sing  praise  unto  thy  name  for  ever, 
That  I  may  daily  perform  my  vows. 


Psalm  LXI. 

1-6.     The  Lord's  song  in  praise  of  the  Father  because  of 

help.  P.  P. 

3.     See  Psalm  xl.  3.  A.  8581. 

5.     The  tent  stands  for  what  is  celestial,  the  covert  of  the 

wings  for  the  spiritual  therefrom.  A.  414. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  8.  A.  8764. 

See  Psalm  xv.  1,  2.  A.  10545. 

See  Psalm  xv.  1,2.  R.  585. 

To  abide  in  the  tabernacle  for  ever  signifies  to  be  in 

the  Divine  good  of  love.     To  confide  in  the  hiding  place 

of  His  wings  signifies  to  be  in  Divine  truths,  for  the  wings 

of  Jehovah  signify  spiritual  truths.  E.  799. 

7.     This  is  said  of  the  Lord  and  His  kingdom.     Days  and 

years  here  stand  for  the  states  of  His  kingdom.     A.  488. 

7,  8.  Years  stand  for  what  is  eternal,  for  this  treats  of  the 
Lord  and  of  His  kingdom.  A.  2906. 

7-9.     And  because  of  union.  P.  P. 

8.  The  most  ancient  people,  who  were  celestial,  by  mercy 
and  truth  from  the  Lord  understood  nothing  else  than  the 
reception  of  influx  of  love  to  the  Lord,  and  thence  of 
charity  toward  the  neighbor.  But  the  ancients,  who  were 
spiritual,  understood  charity  and  faith  by  the  mercy  and 
truth  of  the  Lord  with  themselves.  A.  3122. 

See  Psalm  xxv.  10.  A.  6180. 


PSALM   LXII. 


PSALM  LXII. 


215 


For  the  Chief  Musician;  after  the  manner  of  Jeduthun.     A  Psalm 
of  David. 

i.     My  soul  waiteth  in  silence  for  God  only: 
From  him  cometh  my  salvation. 

2.  He  only  is  my  rock  and  my  salvation: 

He  is  my  high  tower;  I  shall  not  be  greatly  moved. 

3.  How  long  will  ye  set  upon  a  man, 
That  ye  may  slay  him,  all  of  you, 

Like  a  leaning  wall,  like  a  tottering  fence  ? 

4.  They  only  consult  to  thrust  him  down  from  his  dignity ; 
They  delight  in  lies; 

They  bless  with  their  mouth,  but  they  curse  inwardly. 

[Selah 

5.  My  soul,  wait  thou  in  silence  for  God  only; 
For  my  expectation  is  from  him. 

6.  He  only  is  my  rock  and  my  salvation: 

He  is  my  high  tower;  I  shall  not  be  moved. 

7.  With  God  is  my  salvation  and  my  glory: 

The  rock  of  my  strength,  and  my  refuge,  is  in  God. 

8.  Trust  in  him  at  all  times,  ye  people; 
Pour  out  your  heart  before  him: 

God  is  a  refuge  for  us.  [Selah 

9.  Surely  men  of  low  degree  are  vanity,  and  men  of  high 

degree  are  a  lie: 
In  the  balances  they  will  go  up; 
They  are  together  lighter  than  vanity. 

10.  Trust  not  in  oppression, 

And  become  not  vain  in  robbery: 

If  riches  increase,  set  not  your  heart  thereon. 

1 1 .  God  hath  spoken  once, 
Twice  have  I  heard  this, 

That  power  belongeth  unto  God. 

12.  Also  unto  thee,  O  Lord,  belongeth  lovingkindness; 
For  thou  renderest  to  every  man  according  to  his  work, 


2l6  PSALM   LXII. 

Psalm  LXII. 

1-3,  6-9,  12,  13.  Confession  that  the  Divine  alone  has 
power,  and  from  it  there  is  help.  P.  P. 

3,  7,  8.  By  rock  throughout  the  Word  the  Divine  truth  is 
understood.  Inv.  35. 

4,  5,  10.     They  are  of  no  avail  against  the  Divine.       P.  P. 

5,  The  midst  also  signifies  the  inmost,  and  thence  the  all 
in  many  places  in  the  Word,  even  where  the  evil  are  treated 
of.  R.  44. 

See  Psalm  v.  10.  E.  313. 


PSALM  LXIII. 

A  Psalm  of  David,  when  he  was  in  the  wilderness  of  Judah. 

i.  O  God,  thou  art  my  God;  earnestly  will  I  seek  thee: 
My  soul  thirsteth  for  thee,  my  flesh  longeth  for  thee, 
In  a  dry  and  weary  land,  wThere  no  water  is. 

2.  So  have  I  looked  upon  thee  in  the  sanctuary, 
To  see  thy  power  and  thy  glory. 

3.  Because  thy  lovingkindness  is  better  than  life, 
My  lips  shall  praise  thee. 

4.  So  will  I  bless  thee  while  I  live: 

I  will  lift  up  my  hands  in  thy  name. 

5.  My  soul  shall  be  satisfied  as  with  marrow  and  fatness; 
And  my  mouth  shall  praise  thee  with  joyful  lips; 

6.  When  I  remember  thee  upon  my  bed, 
And  meditate  on  thee  in  the  night-watches. 

7.  For  thou  hast  been  my  help, 

And  in  the  shadow  of  thy  wings  will  I  rejoice. 

8.  My  soul  folio weth  hard  after  thee: 
Thy  right  hand  upholdeth  me. 

9.  But  those  that  seek  my  soul,  to  destroy  it, 
Shall  go  into  the  lower  parts  of  the  earth. 

10.  They  shall  be  given  over  to  the  power  of  the  sword: 
They  shall  be  a  portion  for  foxes. 

11.  But  the  king  shall  rejoice  in  God: 

Every  one  that  sweareth  by  him  shall  glory; 

For  the  mouth  of  them  that  speak  lies  shall  be  stopped. 


PSALM   LXIII.  217 

Psalm  LXIII. 

1-9.     The  desire  and  love  of  the  Lord  to  be  united  to  His 

Divine.  P.  P. 

2.     Flesh  in  the  respective  sense  signifies  the  will  proprium 

in  man  vivified  by  the  Lord's  Divine  good.  A.  3813. 

Thirsting  is  predicated  of  truth,  weary  without  water 
means  that  there  were  no  truths.  A.  8568. 

Waters  signify  truths  and  in  particular  natural  truths, 
which  are  knowledges  from  the  Word.  R.  50. 

Since  by  flesh  is  signified  the  good  of  the  church,  and 
by  blood  the  truth  of  the  church,  it  is  plainly  manifest 
that  by  the  Lord's  flesh  and  blood  in  the  Holy  Supper 
Divine  good  and  Divine  truth  from  the  Lord  are  signified. 
Flesh  signifies  good.  R.  832. 

To  thirst  signifies  to  desire  truths.  R.  956. 

Waters  signify  the  truths  of  faith,  also  the  knowledges 
of  truth.  E.  71. 

Morning  signifies  the  coming  of  the  Lord,  also  His  king- 
dom and  church,  and  the  good  of  love  which  is  from  Him. 

^  E.  179. 

Flesh  also  signified  good  with  man,  as  in  Ezekiel  xi.  19; 

xxxvi.  26.  E.  1082. 

6.     Here  fat  stands  for  the  celestial,  and  lips  of  songs  for 

the  spiritual.     That  it  is  celestial  is  very  evident,  for  the 

soul  shall  be  satisfied.  A.  353. 

Lip  stands  for  doctrine.  A.  1286. 

Fatness  manifestly  stands  for  good,  for  it  is  said  that 
their  soul  shall  be  satisfied.  A.  5943. 

See  Psalm  xxxvi.  9.  R.  782. 

The  soul  being  satisfied  with  marrow  and  fatness  means 
being  filled  with  the  good  of  love  and  with  joy  thence  de- 
rived. To  praise  with  lips  of  songs  signifies  to  worship 
by  truths  which  gladden  the  mind.  E.  11 59. 

8.     See  Psalm  xvii.  8.  A.  8764. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  8.  R.  245. 


2i8  PSALM   LXIII. 

Wing  when  predicated  of  the  Lord  signifies  the  Divine 
spiritual.     See  also  Psalm  xvii.  8.  E.  283. 

9.  See  Psalm  xliv.  4.  A.  10019. 

10,  11.     Those  who  lie  in  wait  for  Him  will  perish  by 
falsities  of  evil.  P.  P. 

12.     Here  to  swear  by  God  signifies  to  speak  truth,  for  it 
follows,  the  mouth  of  them  that  speak  lies  shall  be  stopped. 

E.  608. 
Then  there  will  be  salvation  from  the  Lord,  and  re- 
jection of  the  evil.  P.  P. 


PSALM  LXIV. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

Hear  my  voice,  O  God,  in  my  complaint: 
Preserve  my  life  from  fear  of  the  enemy. 
Hide  me  from  the  secret  counsel  of  evil-doers, 
From  the  tumult  of  the  workers  of  iniquity; 
Who  have  whet  their  tongue  like  a  sword, 
And  have  aimed  their  arrows,  even  bitter  words, 
That  they  may  shoot  in  secret  places  at  the  perfect: 
Suddenly  do  they  shoot  at  him,  .and  fear  not. 
They  encourage  themselves  in  an  evil  purpose; 
They  commune  of  laying  snares  privily; 
They  say,  WTho  will  see  them  ? 

6.  They  search  out  iniquities; 

We  have  accomplished,  say  they,  a  diligent  search: 
And  the  inward  thought  and  the  heart  of  every  one  is 
deep. 

7.  But  God  will  shoot  at  them; 

With  an  arrow  suddenly  shall  they  be  wounded. 

8.  So  they  shall  be  made  to  stumble,  their  own  tongue 

being  against  them : 
All  that  see  them  shall  wag  the  head. 

9.  And  all  men  shall  fear; 

And  they  shall  declare  the  work  of  God, 
And  shall  wisely  consider  of  his  doing. 


PSALM   LXIV.  219 

10.     The  righteous  shall  be  glad  in  Jehovah,  and  shall  take 
refuge  in  him; 
And  all  the  upright  in  heart  shall  glory. 


Psalm  LXIV. 

1-6.     The  lying  in  wait  of  the  evil  against  the  Lord.     P.  P. 

4.     See  Psalm  lvii.  5.  R-  52. 

See  Psalm  lvii.  5.  E.  131. 

4,  5.  The  wicked  are  here  said  to  sharpen  their  tongue  like 
a  sword,  because  a  sword  signifies  falsity  combating 
against  truth,  they  are  also  said  to  bend  their  bows  to 
shoot  their  arrows  even  bitter  words,  because  an  arrow 
signifies  the  falsity  of  doctrine.  To  shoot  in  secret  at  the 
perfect  signifies  the  same  as  to  shoot  privily  at  the  upright 
in  heart,  namely,  to  deceive  those  who  are  principled  in 
truths  from  good.  E.  357. 

4-6.     See  Psalm  xi.  2.  A.  2709. 

7.  Here  the  inward  thought  stands  for  the  intellectual 
where  the  truth  ought  to  reside,  and  the  heart  for  the  will 
where  the  good  ought  to  be,  but  in  the  present  case  both 
perverted,  the  latter  into  evil  and  the  former  into  what  is 
false.  E.  313. 

Here  by  the  belly  of  a  man  are  signified  the  thoughts 
of  what  is  false,  and  by  the  deep  heart  the  affections  of 
evil,  the  latter  pertaining  to  the  will,  the  former  to  the 
understanding.  E.  622. 

8,  9.     They  will  perish.  P.  P. 
10,  11.     Thus  the  good  will  be  saved.  P.  P. 


220  PSALM   LXV. 

PSALM  LXV. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm.     A  Song  of  David. 

i.     Praise  waiteth  for  thee,  O  God,  in  Zion; 
And  unto  thee  shall  the  vow  be  performed. 

2.  O  thou  that  hearest  prayer, 
Unto  thee  shall  all  flesh  come. 

3.  Iniquities  prevail  against  me: 

As  for  our  transgressions,  thou  wilt  forgive  them. 

4.  Blessed  is  the  man  whom  thou  choosest,  and  causest  to 

approach  unto  thee, 
That  he  may  dwell  in  thy  courts: 
We  shall  be  satisfied  with  the  goodness  of  thy  house, 
Thy  holy  temple. 

5.  By  terrible  things  thou  wilt  answer  us  in  righteousness, 
O  God  of  our  salvation, 

Thou  that  art  the  confidence  of  all  the  ends  of  the  earth, 
And  of  them  that  are  afar  off  upon  the  sea : 

6.  Who  by  his  strength  setteth  fast  the  mountains, 
Being  girded  about  with  might; 

7.  Who  stilleth  the  roaring  of  the  seas, 
The  roaring  of  their  waves, 

And  the  tumult  of  the  peoples. 

8.  They  also  that  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  are  afraid 

at  thy  tokens : 
Thou  makest  the  outgoings  of  the  morning  and  evening 
to  rejoice. 

9.  Thou  visitest  the  earth,  and  waterest  it, 
Thou  greatly  enrichest  it; 

The  river  of  God  is  full  of  water: 
Thou  providest  them  grain,  when  thou  hast  so  prepared 
the  earth. 

10.  Thou  waterest  its  furrows  abundantly; 
Thou  settlest  the  ridges  thereof: 
Thou  makest  it  soft  with  showers; 
Thou  blessest  the  springing  thereof. 

11.  Thou  crownest  the  year  with  thy  goodness; 
And  thy  paths  drop  fatness. 


PSALM   LXV.  221 


12.  They  drop  upon  the  pastures  of  the  wilderness; 
And  the  hills  are  girded  with  joy. 

13.  The  pastures  are  clothed  with  flocks; 

The  valleys  also  are  covered  over  with  grain; 
They  shout  for  joy,  they  also  sing. 


Psalm  LXV. 

1.    See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

1-14.     From  the  uniting  of  the  Divine  and  the  Human  in 
the  Lord  will  be  a  church  that  will  be  in  all  truth  from 
the  Lord,  and  safe  from  infestation  from  falsities.      P.  P. 
3.     All  flesh  stands  for  every  man.  A.  574. 

5.     To  make  to  approach  stands  for  to  be  conjoined. 

A.  9378. 

The  ultimate  heaven  is  signified  by  a  court  and  by 

courts.     To  inhabit  courts  is  to  inhabit  heaven.    A.  9741. 

As  the  external  of  the  church  is  signified  by  the  court, 

therefore  also  the  church  on  earth  and  also  heaven  in  the 

ultimates  are  signified  by  it,  because  the  church  on  earth 

is  the  entrance  into  heaven,  and  in  like  manner  heaven 

in  ultimates.  R.  487. 

By  virtue  of  truths  from  the  Lord  the  temple  is  called 

the  temple  of  holiness.  R.  586. 

Here  they  are  said  to  be  satisfied  with  the  goodness  of 

the  house  of  Jehovah,  even  of  His  holy  temple,  because 

the  house  of  God  in  the  supreme  sense  signifies  the  Lord 

as  to  Divine  good  and  the  temple  as  to  Divine  truth. 

E.  204. 
By  these  words  is  signified  that  they  who  are  in  charity 
or  in  spiritual  affection  shall  live  in  heaven,  and  be  there 
in  intelligence  and  wisdom  from  Divine  truth  and  Divine 
good.  By  the  elect  or  him  whom  thou  choosest  are  sig- 
nified those  who  are  principled  in  love  toward  their 
neighbor  or  in  charity.  By  causing  to  approach  is  sig- 
nified spiritual  love  or  affection,  for  so  far  as  man  is  in 


22  2  PSALM   LXV. 

5  that  love  or  in  that  affection  so  far  he  is  with  the  Lord,  for 
every  one  approaches  Him  according  to  that  love.  By 
inhabiting  the  courts  is  signified  to  live  in  heaven,  to  in- 
habit meaning  to  live,  and  the  courts  heaven.  By  being 
saturated  with  the  good  of  the  house  is  signified  to  be  in 
wisdom  from  Divine  good.  By  being  saturated  with  the 
holiness  of  the  temple  is  signified  to  be  in  intelligence  from 
Divine  truth,  and  from  both  to  be  in  the  fruition  of  heav- 
enly joy.  The  house  of  God  signifies  heaven  and  the 
church  as  to  Divine  good,  and  the  temple  heaven  and  the 
church  as  to  Divine  truth.  Holiness  is  predicated  of 
spiritual  good  which  is  truth.  E.  630. 

6.  By  extremities  are  signified  all  things  and  every  where. 
The  extremity  is  predicated  of  good,  and  afar  off  of  truth. 

A.  9666. 

The  ends  of  the  earth,  and  the  sea  of  those  who  are  afar 

off  signify  the  ultimates  of  the  church.  E.  1133. 

6-8.     By  signs  are  signified  testifications  that  a  thing  is 

true.  R.  598. 

7.  See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  R.  336. 
By  mountains  here  also  are  signified  the  goods  of  love, 

these  the  Lord  establishes  in  heaven  and  in  the  church  by 
His  Divine  truth  which  is  omnipotent.  By  the  power  of 
God  in  the  Word  is  signified  Divine  truth,  and  by  power 
when  predicated  of  the  Lord,  all  power  or  omnipotence. 

E.  405. 
7-9.  Thus  is  described  the  Divine  power  of  the  Lord  by 
things  testifying  that  they  may  believe,  but  the  things 
testifying  which  are  signs  are  not  that  He  strengthened 
the  mountains,  maketh  the  tumult  of  the  seas  and  of  the 
waves  to  cease,  and  the  noise  of  the  people,  for  these  are 
not  such  signs  as  can  persuade  those  who  ascribe  all  things 
to  nature,  but  those  things  are  the  signs  testifying  the 
Divine  power  of  the  Lord  which  are  understood  in  the 
spiritual  sense.  The  mountains  the  superior  heavens, 
the  tumult  of  the  seas  and  waves  disputations  and  ra- 


PSALM   LXV.  223 

tiocinations  of  those  who  are  beneath  the  heavens  and  are 
natural  and  sensual,  the  noise  of  the  people  contradictions 
by  falses.  .  .  .  From  these  considerations  it  may  appear 
that  signs  signify  testifications  concerning  the  Divine 
power  of  the  Lord.  E.  706. 

9.  See  Psalm  xxx.  6.  C.  J.  13. 

10,  See  Psalm  xxix.  3.  A.  2702. 
10,  11.     Rain  signifies  the  Divine  truth  from  heaven. 

R.  496. 
By  the  earth  is  here  signified  the  church,  by  the  river 
full  of  water  doctrine  full  of  truths.  By  watering  the 
furrows,  laying  down  the  ridges,  and  making  it  liquid 
with  drops  is  signified  to  fill  with  the  knowledges  of  good 
and  truth.  By  preparing  the  corn  is  signified  all  that 
nourishes  the  soul,  wherefore  it  is  added,  so  thou  estab- 
lishest  the  earth  —  that  is  the  church  —  by  blessing  the 
budding  thereof  is  signified  to  produce  continually  anew, 
and  to  cause  truths  to  spring  forth.  E.  644. 

10,  14.  Corn  and  new  wine  stand  for  good  and  the  truth 
therefrom.     See  Jeremiah  xxxi.  11,  12.  A.  3580. 

12.  See  Psalm  xxxvi.  8,  9.  A.  5943. 

13,  14.  Here  the  regeneration  of  those  who  are  in  ignor- 
ance of  truth,  or  the  gentiles,  and  the  enlightenment  and 
instruction  of  those  who  are  in  desolation  is  treated  of. 
The  wilderness  is  predicated  of  these.  A.  2708. 

By  a  wilderness  is  signified  a  church  in  which  there  are 
no  truths,  because  there  is  not  the  Word,  as  with  the 
upright  gentiles  at  the  time  of  the  Lord.  R.  546. 

Treating  of  the  church  with  the  gentiles.  By  the  dwell- 
ings of  the  wilderness  dropping  is  signified  that  their 
minds  which  before  were  in  ignorance  of  truth,  acknowl- 
edge and  receive  truths,  to  drop  being  predicated  of  in- 
flux, acknowledgment  and  reception  of  truth,  dwellings  of 
the  interiors  of  man  which  are  of  his  mind,  and  wilderness 
the  state  of  ignorance  of  truth.  The  hills  girding  them- 
selves with  exultation  signifies  that  goods  with  them  re- 


2  24  PSALM    LXV. 

I4ceive  truths  with  joy  of  heart.  The  meadows  being 
clothed  with  flocks,  and  the  valleys  covered  with  corn 
signifies  that  both  minds,  the  spiritual  and  the  natural, 
receive  truths  suitable  to  themselves.  Meadows  stand 
for  those  things  which  are  of  the  spiritual  mind,  and 
thence  of  the  rational,  valleys  those  which  are  of  the  nat- 
ural mind,  flocks  spiritual  truth  and  corn  natural  truth. 

E.  73°- 


PSALM  LXVI. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Song,  a  Psalm. 

i.     Make  a  joyful  noise  unto  God,  all  the  earth: 

2.  Sing  forth  the  glory  of  his  name: 
Make  his  praise  glorious. 

3.  Say  unto  God,  How  terrible  are  thy  works! 
Through  the  greatness  of  thy  power  shall  thine  enemies 

submit  themselves  unto  thee. 

4.  All  the  earth  shall  worship  thee, 
And  shall  sing  unto  thee; 

They  shall  sing  to  thy  name.  [Selah 

5.  Come,  and  see  the  works  of  God; 

He  is  terrible  in  his  doing  toward  the  children  of  men. 

6.  He  turned  the  sea  into  dry  land; 
They  went  through  the  river  on  foot: 
There  did  we  rejoice  in  him. 

7.  He  ruleth  by  his  might  for  ever; 
His  eyes  observe  the  nations: 

Let  not  the  rebellious  exalt  themselves.  [Selah 

8.  Oh  bless  our  God,  ye  peoples, 

And  make  the  voice  of  his  praise  to  be  heard; 

9.  Who  holdeth  our  soul  in  life, 

And  sufTereth  not  our  feet  to  be  moved. 

10.  For  thou,  O  God,  hast  proved  us: 
Thou  hast  tried  us,  as  silver  is  tried. 

11.  Thou  broughtest  us  into  the  net; 

Thou  layedst  a  sore  burden  upon  our  loins. 


PSALM   LXVI.  225 

12.  Thou  didst  cause  men  to  ride  over  our  heads; 
We  went  through  fire  and  through  water; 

But  thou  broughtest  us  out  into  a  wealthy  place. 

13.  I  will  come  into  thy  house  with  burnt-offerings; 
I  will  pay  thee  my  vows, 

14.  Which  my  lips  uttered, 

And  my  mouth  spake,  when  I  was  in  distress. 

15.  I  will  offer  unto  thee  burnt-offerings  of  fatlings, 
With  the  incense  of  rams; 

I  will  offer  bullocks  with  goats.  [Selah 

16.  Come,  and  hear,  all  ye  that  fear  God, 

And  I  will  declare  what  he  hath  done  for  my  soul. 

17.  I  cried  unto  him.  with  my  mouth, 
And  he  was  extolled  with  my  tongue. 

18.  If  I  regard  iniquity  in  my  heart, 
The  Lord  will  not  hear: 

19.  But  verily  God  hath  heard; 

He  hath  attended  to  the  voice  of  my  prayer. 

20.  Blessed  be  God, 

Who  hath  not  turned  away  my  prayer, 
Nor  his  lovingkindness  from  me. 

Psalm  LXVI. 

I.  See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 
See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1-5.     Joy  that  there  is  a  new  church  that  trusts  in  the  Lord. 

P.  P. 
6,  7.     who  will  save  it  from  evils.  P.  P. 

8,  9.  That  the  Lord  alone  has  life  in  himself,  and  that 
every  man  has  life  from  Him,  the  Lord  teaches.  See 
John  v.  21,  26.  E.  186. 

8-12.  The  Lord  was  united  to  His  Divine  by  means  of 
grievous  temptations.  P.  P- 

9.  They  that  are  in  faith  in  the  Lord  are  called  the  living. 

A.  290. 

II,  12.  The  church  as  to  the  knowledges  of  truth  falsified 
is  signified.  E.  298. 


226  PSALM   LXVI. 

11  In  this  passage  spiritual  captivity  and  deliverance  from 
it  are  described.  Spiritual  captivity  takes  place  when  the 
mind  is  shut  up  so  as  not  to  perceive  good  and  understand 
truth.  Deliverance  from  that  state  is  when  the  mind  is 
opened.  Thou  laidst  affliction  upon  our  loins  signifies 
that  there  is  no  perception  of  the  good  of  love,  for  the  loins 
and  thighs  signify  the  good  of  love.  Thou  hast  caused 
men  to  ride  over  our  heads  signifies  that  there  is  no  under- 
standing of  truth.  Men  and  likewise  heads  in  this  case 
signify  intelligence  from  the  proprium,  which  is  no  in- 
telligence. Since  these  things  are  signified  therefore  it  is 
said,  we  went  through  fire  and  water,  fire  the  evils  which 
are  from  the  love  of  self,  water  falsities.  Deliverance 
thence  is  understood  by,  but  thou  broughtest  us  out  into 
a  broad  place,  by  which  is  meant  truth,  the  breadth  sig- 
nifying truth.  E.  355. 
By  causing  men  to  ride  over  our  heads  is  meant  that  in 
the  church  then  there  was  no  intelligence.               E.  577. 

12.  See  Psalm  iv.  2.  R.  861. 
13-17.     Thus  Divine  truth  from  the  Lord  is  with  men. 

P.  P. 

13,  15.  Incense  signifies  worship  from  spiritual  good. 
Whether  you  say  worship  or  confession  is  the  same,  for 
all  worship  is  confession.  R.  277. 

To  offer  burnt  offerings  of  fatlings  signifies  worship 
from  the  good  of  celestial  love,  to  offer  incense  of  rams 
signifies  worship  from  the  good  of  spiritual  love,  incense 
and  also  rams  signifying  that  good.  E.  324. 

15.  Burnt  offerings  of  fatlings  stand  for  the  celestial  things 
of  love,  and  the  incense  of  rams  for  the  spiritual  things  of 
faith.  A.  2830. 

Burnt  offerings  of  fatlings  stand  for  worship  from  love. 

A.  5943. 

17-19.     Since  the  quality  of  prayers  is  according  to  the 

state  of  man's  heart,  and  consequently  prayers  offered  up 

when  the  heart  is  in  evil  are  not  true  prayers  of  worship, 


PSALM  LXVII.  227 

therefore  it  is  said,  if  I  regard  iniquity  in  my  heart,  the 
Lord  will  not  hear  me,  by  which  is  signified  that  He  will 
not  receive  such  worship.  The  heart  of  man  is  his  love, 
and  the  love  of  man  is  his  very  life,  consequently  his 
prayers  have  a  quality  according  to  his  love,  or  according 
to  the  quality  of  his  life.  E.  325. 

19,  20.     This  has  been  done  through  His  perfection.   P.  P. 

See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  A.  1096. 

See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  A.  1422. 

See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  R.  289. 


PSALM  LXVII. 

For  the  Chief  Musician;  on  stringed  instruments.     A  Psalm,  a  Song. 

1.  God  be  merciful  unto  us,  and  bless  us, 

And  cause  his  face  to  shine  upon  us;  [Selah 

2.  That  thy  ways  may  be  known  upon  earth, 
Thy  salvation  among  all  nations. 

3.  Let  the  peoples  praise  thee,  O  God; 
Let  all  the  peoples  praise  thee. 

4.  Oh  let  the  nations  be  glad  and  sing  for  joy; 
For  thou  wilt  judge  the  peoples  with  equity, 

And  govern  the  nations  upon  earth.  [Selah 

5.  Let  the  peoples  praise  thee,  O  God; 
Let  all  the  peoples  praise  thee. 

6.  The  earth  hath  yielded  its  increase: 
God,  even  our  own  God,  will  bless  us. 

7.  God  will  bless  us; 

And  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall  fear  him. 


228  PSALM   LXVII. 


Psalm  LXVII. 

1.  See  Psalm  xviii.  i.  R.  279. 
See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1-6,  8.  The  whole  church  will  acknowledge  and  worship 
the  Lord  from  joy  of  heart.  P.  P. 

2.  The  face  of  Jehovah  or  of  the  Lord  is  mercy,  peace  and 
every  good,  as  is  clearly  evident  from  the  blessing  in 
Numbers  vi.  25,  26.  A.  222. 

See  Psalm  xxxi.  16,  17.  A.  5585. 

By  the  face  of  Jehovah  is  signified  the  Divine  good  of 
the  Divine  love,  and  the  Divine  truth  from  that  Divine 
good.  A.  9306. 

See  Psalm  iv.  7.  A.  10579. 

See  Psalm  xxvii.  8,  9.  R.  939. 

In  these  words  by  the  light  of  the  countenance  of 
Jehovah  is  understood  the  Divine  truth  of  the  Divine 
love,  thence  also  the  expression  implies  intelligence  and 
wisdom,  for  from  the  Divine  truth,  or  the  Divine  light  in 
the  heavens  are  derived  all  the  wisdom  and  intelligence 
both  of  angels  and  men.  E.  412. 

3-5.     See  Psalm  xviii.  44.  S.  86. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  44.  R.  483. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  44.  T.  251. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  44.  E.  331. 

4,  5.  Here  peoples  manifestly  stand  for  those  who  are  in 
truths  of  faith,  and  nations  for  those  who  are  in  the  good 
of  charity.  A.  1259. 

4-6.  By  nations  and  tongues  are  understood  all  who  are  in 
the  goods  of  love,  and  thence  in  truths.  E.  175. 

6-8.     To  sow  land  or  a  field  is  to  teach  and  to  learn  the 
truths  and  goods  of  faith  which  are  of  the  church.     Prod- 
uce stands  for  the  goods  of  truth  thence  derived.  A.  9272. 
7.    Everything  of  the  church  will  be  theirs.  P.  P. 


PSALM   LXVLU.  229 

PSALM  LXVIII. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  David,  a  Song. 

1.  Let  God  arise,  let  his  enemies  be  scattered; 
Let  them  also  that  hate  him  flee  before  him. 

2.  As  smoke  is  driven  away,  so  drive  them  away: 
As  wax  melteth  before  the  fire, 

So  let  the  wicked  perish  at  the  presence  of  God. 

3.  But  let  the  righteous  be  glad;  let  them  exult  before 

God: 
Yea,  let  them  rejoice  with  gladness. 

4.  Sing  unto  God,  sing  praises  to  his  name: 

Cast  up  a  highway  for  him  that  rideth  through  the 

deserts; 
His  name  is  Jehovah;  and  exult  ye  before  him. 

5.  A  father  of  the  fatherless,  and  a  judge  of  the  widows, 
Is  God  in  his  holy  habitation. 

6.  God  setteth  the  solitary  in  families: 

He  bringeth  out  the  prisoners  into  prosperity; 
But  the  rebellious  dwell  in  a  parched  land. 

7.  O  God,  when  thou  wentest  forth  before  thy  people, 
When  thou  didst  march  through  the  wilderness;  [Selah 

8.  The  earth  trembled. 

The  heavens  also  dropped  rain  at  the  presence  of  God : 
Yon  Sinai  trembled  at  the  presence  of  God,  the  God  of 
Israel. 

9.  Thou,  O  God,  didst  send  a  plentiful  rain, 

Thou  didst  confirm  thine  inheritance,  when  it  was 
weary. 

10.  Thy  congregation  dwelt  therein: 

Thou,  O  God,  didst  prepare  of  thy  goodness  for  the 
poor. 

11.  The  Lord  giveth  the  word: 

The  women  that  publish  the  tidings  are  a  great  host. 

12.  Kings  of  armies  flee,  they  flee; 

And  she  that  tarrieth  at  home  divideth  the  spoil. 

13.  When  ye  lie  among  the  sheepfolds, 

It  is  as  the  wings  of  a  dove  covered  with  silver, 
And  her  pinions  with  yellow  gold. 


230 


PSALM   LXVIII. 


14.  When  the  Almighty  scattered  kings  therein, 
//  ivas  as  when  it  snoweth  in  Zalmon. 

15.  A  mountain  of  God  is  the  mountain  of  Bashan; 
A  high  mountain  is  the  mountain  of  Bashan. 

16.  Why  look  ye  askance,  ye  high  mountains, 

At  the  mountain  which  God  hath  desired  for  his  abode  ? 
Yea,  Jehovah  will  dwell  in  it  for  ever. 

17.  The  chariots  of  God  are  twenty  thousand,  even  thou- 

sands upon  thousands: 
The  Lord  is  among  them,  as  in  Sinai,  in  the  sanctuary. 

18.  Thou  hast  ascended  on  high,   thou  hast  led  away 

captives; 
Thou  hast  received  gifts  among  men, 
Yea,  among  the  rebellious  also,  that  Jehovah   God 

might  dwell  with  them. 

19.  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  who  daily  beareth  our  burden, 
Even  the  God  who  is  our  salvation.  [Selah 

20.  God  is  unto  us  a  God  of  deliverances; 

And  unto  Jehovah  the  Lord  belongeth  escape  from 
death. 

21.  But  God  will  smite  through  the  head  of  his  enemies, 
The  hairy  scalp  of  such  a  one  as  goeth  on  still  in  his 

guiltiness. 

22.  The  Lord  said,  I  will  bring  again  from  Bashan, 

I  will  bring  them  again  from  the  depths  of  the  sea; 

23.  That  thou   mayest  crush  them,   dipping  thy  foot  in 

blood, 
That  the  tongue  of  thy  dogs  may  have  its  portion  from 
thine  enemies. 

24.  They  have  seen  thy  goings,  O  God, 

Even  the  goings  of  my  God,  my  King,  into  the  sanc- 
tuary. 

25.  The  singers  went  before,  the  minstrels  followed  after, 
In  the  midst  of  the  damsels  playing  with  timbrels. 

26.  Bless  ye  God  in  the  congregations, 

Even  the  Lord,  ye  that  are  of  the  fountain  of  Israel. 

27.  There  is  little  Benjamin  their  ruler, 
The  princes  of  Judah  and  their  council, 

The  princes  of  Zebulun,  the  princes  of  Naphtali. 


PSALM  LXVIII.  231 

28.  Thy  God  hath  commanded  thy  strength: 
Strengthen,  O  God,  that  which  thou  hast  wrought  for 

us. 

29.  Because  of  thy  temple  at  Jerusalem 
Kings  shall  bring  presents  unto  thee. 

30.  Rebuke  the  wild  beast  of  the  reeds, 

The  multitude  of  the  bulls,  with  the  calves  of  the 

peoples, 
Trampling  under  foot  the  pieces  of  silver: 
He  hath  scattered  the  peoples  that  delight  in  war. 

31.  Princes  shall  come  out  of  Egypt; 

Ethiopia  shall  haste  to  stretch  out  her  hands  unto  God. 

32.  Sing  unto  God,  ye  kingdoms  of  the  earth; 

O  sing  praises  unto  the  Lord;  [Selah 

^^.     To  him  that  rideth  upon  the  heaven  of  heavens,  which 
are  of  old; 
Lo,  he  uttereth  his  voice,  a  mighty  voice. 

34.  Ascribe  ye  strength  unto  God: 
His  excellency  is  over  Israel, 
And  his  strength  is  in  the  skies. 

35.  O  God,  thou  art  terrible  out  of  thy  holy  places: 

The  God  of  Israel,  he  giveth  strength  and  power  untc 

his  people. 
Blessed  be  God. 


Psalm  LXVIII. 

1.     See  Psalm  xviii.  I.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1-3.     The  hells  will  be  subjugated.  P.  P. 

3.  The  destruction  of  the  wicked  is  here  compared  to 
smoke  driven  away  by  the  wind,  and  to  wax  which  melts 
before  the  fire,  because  smoke  signifies  falsities,  and  fire 
evils.  E.  539. 

4.  See  Psalm  li.  10.  T.  252. 
See  Psalm  xl.  17.  R.  507. 
See  Psalm  xl.  17.  E.  660. 

4-6,  32.  Those  who  are  in  good  will  acknowledge  the 
Lord,  who  is  Divine  truth  itself.  P.  P. 


232  PSALM   LXVIII. 

5.  To  ride  upon  the  clouds  stands  for  the  understanding 
of  the  Word  as  to  its  interiors,  or  in  its  internal  sense. 
That  a  cloud  is  the  Word  in  the  letter  in  which  is  an 
internal  sense  may  be  seen  in  the  Arcana  in  the  preface  to 
Genesis  xviii.  See  Matthew  xxiv.  30:  Mark  xiii.  26: 
Luke  xxi.  27.  A.  2761. 

This  also  is  said  of  the  Lord,  the  clouds  being  the 
literal  sense  of  the  WTord.  A.  6534. 

To  praise  and  extol  God  by  His  name  Jah  means  by 
Divine  truth.  A.  8267. 

They  who  ride  in  chariots  and  on  horses  signify  those 
who  understand  and  are  in  the  doctrine  of  truth  derived 
from  the  Word.  W.  H. 

To  ride  upon  the  clouds  signifies  to  be  in  the  wisdom  of 
the  Word,  for  a  horse  signifies  the  understanding  of  the 
Word.  R.  24. 

The  understanding  of  the  Word  is  meant  by  a  horse. 

R.  298. 

By  the  cloud  of  heaven  is  meant  the  Word  in  the  natural 
sense,  and  by  glory  the  Word  in  the  spiritual  sense. 

T.  776. 

Now  who  cannot  see  that  these  things  are  not  to  be 
understood  according  to  the  sense  of  the  letter,  namely 
that  Jehovah  sits  on  a  cloud,  that  He  rides  upon  the 
clouds,  and  that  He  makes  the  clouds  His  chariot.  He 
who  thinks  spiritually  may  know  that  Jehovah  is  present 
in  His  Divine  truth,  for  this  proceeds  from  Him,  conse- 
quently that  this  is  here  understood  by  clouds.  There- 
fore also  it  is  said  that  Jehovah  makes  the  clouds  His 
chariot,  for  by  a  chariot  is  signified  the  doctrine  of  truth. 

E.  36. 

Since  chariots  and  horses  signify  doctrine  from  the 
Word  and  the  understanding  thereof,  and  since  all  doc- 
trine of  truth  and  the  understanding  thereof  are  out  of 
heaven  from  the  Lord,  therefore  it  is  said  concerning  Him 
that  He  rides  upon  the  Word,  upon  clouds,  upon  heaven, 
upon  a  cherub,  also  that  He  causes  to  ride.  E.  355. 


PSALM   LXVIH.  233 

By  him  that  rideth  upon  the  heavens  or  upon  clouds  is 
here  also  understood  the  Lord  as  to  the  illustration  of  the 
Word.  Clouds  stand  for  truths  in  the  ultimates  which 
are  illustrated,  and  this  is  effected  by  the  influx  of  light, 
which  is  Divine  truth  from  the  spiritual  world  or  heaven. 

E.  594. 
6.  The  fatherless  stand  for  those  who  like  little  children 
are  in  the  good  of  innocence,  but  not  yet  in  truth,  whose 
father  is  said  to  be  the  Lord,  because  He  leads  them  as  a 
father,  and  this  by  truth  into  good,  that  is  into  the  good  of 
life  or  wisdom.  Widows  stand  for  those  who  as  adults 
are  in  truth,  but  not  yet  in  good,  whose  judge  is  said  to  be 
the  Lord,  because  He  leads  them,  and  this  by  good  into 
truth,  that  is  into  the  truth  of  intelligence,  for  by  a  judge 
is  signified  one  who  leads.  Good  without  truth,  which 
is  the  fatherless,  becomes  the  good  of  wisdom  by  the  doc- 
trine of  truth,  and  truth  without  good,  which  is  the  widow, 
becomes  the  truth  of  intelligence  by  a  life  of  good. 

A.  4844. 

That  orphans  are  those  who  are  instructed  in  the  truths 
of  the  faith  of  the  church  from  the  Word,  and  by  them  are 
afterwards  led  to  good  is  evident  also  from  the  Lord's 
words  in  John  xiv.  A.  9199. 

By  a  widow  in  the  WTord  is  meant  one  who  is  without 
protection,  for  by  a  widow  in  the  spiritual  sense  is  signified 
one  who  is  in  good  and  not  in  truth.  For  by  a  man  is 
signified  truth,  and  by  his  wife  good,  hence  by  a  widow 
good  without  truth  is  signified.  Good  without  truth  is 
without  protection,  for  truth  protects  good.  R.  764. 

By  widows  are  also  signified  such  of  both  sexes  as  are 
in  good  and  not  in  truth,  thus  such  as  are  without  defence 
against  the  false  and  evil,  whom  however  the  Lord  defends. 

E.  1121. 

6,  7.     He  will  be  their  protection.  P.  P. 

7.  By  the  bound  in  these  places  those  are  not  meant  who 
are  bound  in  the  world,  but  they  who  are  bound  by  hell, 
and  thus  by  evils  and  falsities.  R.  99. 


234  PSALM    LXVIII. 

8-10.  Here  Sinai  stands  for  truth  which  is  from  good,  for 
such  is  the  signification  of  the  heavens  dropping  at  the 
presence  of  God,  and  of  God  making  to  drop  the  rain  of 
His  good  will.  Mount  Sinai  has  these  significations  be- 
cause the  law  was  promulgated  by  the  Lord  from  thence, 
and  the  law  is  Divine  truth  from  Divine  good,  and  is  also 
truth  of  faith  from  good.  A.  8753. 

8-12.     He  will  regenerate  them.  P.  P. 

8,  18.  That  Mount  Sinai  stands  for  the  law  or  Divine 
truth  proceeding  from  the  Divine  good  of  the  Lord,  thus 
the  Word,  and  in  the  supreme  sense  the  Lord  is  manifest. 
Earth  and  the  heavens  stand  for  the  external  and  internal 
of  the  church,  chariots  doctrine.  A.  9420. 

9.  The  Lord  is  called  the  God  of  Israel.  L.  39. 
That  the  Lord  is  called  the  God  of  Israel  is  evident. 

T.  93- 

9,  36.     See  Psalm  xli.  14.  A.  7091. 

10.  Rain  signifies  the  Divine  truth  from  heaven.    R.  496. 
In  these  passages  also  rain  does  not  signify  rain,  but 

the  influx  of  Divine  truth  with  man  from  which  he  has 

spiritual  life.  E.  644. 

10,  11.     Here  the  wild  animal  stands  for  affection  for  good, 

for  it  is  to  dwell  in  God's  inheritance.  A.  246. 

See  Psalm  1.  10,  11.  R.  567. 

Here  also  by  wild  beasts  or  animals  are  signified  those 
who  are  in  the  affections  of  truth  and  good,  or,  in  the  ab- 
stract, those  affections  themselves,  for  by  the  showers  of 
benevolence  which  God  is  said"  to  have  sent  is  signified 
the  Divine  truth  from  the  Divine  good.  By  the  weary 
inheritance  which  He  is  said  to  have  confirmed  is  signi- 
fied the  church  which  is  in  Divine  truth  as  to  doctrine  and 
as  to  life.  The  inheritance  signifies  the  church,  called 
weary  or  labouring  from  an  earnest  desire  to  do  good. 
By  the  wild  beasts  which  have  dwelt  in  the  inheritance 
of  the  church  are  signified  the  affections  of  truth  and  good. 

E.  38S. 


PSALM   LXVIII.  235 

Here  beast  is  manifestly  put  for  the  people  who  receive 
the  influx  of  Divine  truth  from  the  Lord,  for  the  heritage 
of  God,  whereby  is  signified  the  church,  is  called  thy  beast, 
thy  congregation  shall  dwell  therein.  By  rain  of  benevo- 
lences is  signified  the  influx  of  Divine  truth  from  the 
Divine  clemency.  E.  650. 

See  Psalm  1.  10,  11.  Coro.  3. 

11.  Here  by  wild  animal,  because  he  shall  dwell  in  the 
inheritance  of  God  no  other  is  meant  than  the  regenerated 
man.     What  is  living  in  this  man  is  meant.  A.  908. 

13-15.  It  will  not  be  so  with  the  rest  although  they  have 
the  Word.  P.  P. 

14.  The  wings  of  a  dove  are  the  truths  of  faith.  They  are 
said  to  be  covered  with  silver,  because  silver  is  truth  from 
good.  A.  8764. 

14,  15.  To  lie  among  the  orders  —  between  the  ranks  — 
signifies  to  live  in  or  according  to  the  statutes.  The  wings 
of  a  dove  covered  with  silver  spiritual  truths.  Her 
feathers  with  yellow  gold  spiritual  good  from  which  those 
truths  are  derived.  Shaddai  a  state  of  temptations. 
Kings  were  in  it  —  truths  in  that  state  and  after  it. 

E.  283. 

16,  17.     Here  mountains  stand  for  celestial  love  and  hills 

for  spiritual  love.  A.  6435. 

Mountains  signify  heaven  where  the  good  of  celestial 

love  prevails.  A.  10438. 

See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  R.  336. 

By  the  mountain  of   Bashan  is   signified  good  in  the 

will,  such  as  exists  with  those  who  are  in  the  externals  of 

the  church,  for  Bashan  was  a  region  beyond  Jordan  which 

was  given  as  an  inheritance  to  half  the  tribe  of  Manasseh 

—  see  Joshua  xiii.  29-32  — and  by  Manasseh  is  signified 

the  voluntary  good  of  the  external  or  natural  man.     The 

joy  arising  from  the  good  of  love  is  understood  by  leaping 

and  skipping.     The  Lord  in  man  dwells  in  the  good  of 

his  will,  whence  are  derived  goods  in  active  exercise. 


236  PSALM  LXVIII. 

Therefore  it  is  said  "this  is  the  mountain  which  God  de- 
sireth  to  dwell  in,  yea,  Jehovah  will  dwell  in  it  for  ever." 

E.  405. 

16-18.     Respecting  the  church  from  the  Lord  from  whom 

is  everything  of  doctrine.  P.  P. 

18.  By  a  thousand  is  not  signified  a  thousand,  but  much 
without  any  definite  number.  It  is  similar  with  a  hun- 
dred and  with  ten,  for  lesser  numbers  signify  the  like  with 
greater  which  result  from  multiplications  by  them. 

A.  8715. 

Myriads  and  thousands  stand  for  innumerable. 

A.  2575. 

The  chariots  of  God  stand  for  those  things  which  are 
of  the  Word  and  of  doctrine  thence  derived.  Ten  thou- 
sand of  thousands  stand  for  the  infinite  things  which  are 
therein.  A.  3186. 

Horses  and  chariots  are  the  intellectuals  and  doctrinals 
of  good  and  truth.  A.  5321. 

By  a  number  in  the  spiritual  sense  is  meant  that  which 
has  relation  to  quality.  A  myriad  is  predicated  of  truths, 
and  a  thousand  of  goods,  because  a  myriad  is  the  greater 
number,  and  a  thousand  less,  and  truths  are  manifold, 
but  goods  simple.  R.  287. 

That  a  chariot  signifies  doctrine  is  evident.  R.  437. 

By  the  chariots  of  God  are  here  signified  truths  of  doc- 
trine, and  by  angels  the  goods  thereof,  wherefore  myriads 
are  predicated  of  the  former,  and  thousands  of  the  latter. 
Since  the  Lord  is  called  Lord  from  good  and  Sinai  sig- 
nifies heaven  where  and  whence  is  Divine  truth,  therefore 
it  is  said  the  Lord  is  among  them,  as  in  Sinai  in  the  holy 
place.  The  holy  place  means  heaven  and  the  church 
where  is  Divine  truth.  E.  336. 

19.  By  captivity  spiritual  captivity  is  meant,  which  is  to 
be  seduced  and  so  led  away  from  truths  and  goods,  and 
to  be  led  on  into  falsities  and  evils.  The  same  is  also 
signified  by  the  bound.  R.  591- 


PSALM   LXVIII.  237 

Treating  also  of  the  Lord.  By  leading  captivity  cap- 
tive is  signified  to  liberate  from  falses  those  who  were 
thereby  held  captive.  E.  811. 

19-24.     He  snatched  them  out  of  the  hand  of  the  infernals. 

P.  P. 

20,  27.     See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  R.  289. 

20,  36.     See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  A.  1096. 

See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  R.  289. 

22.     By  the  head  is  meant  the  whole  man.  A.  10011. 

In  the  opposite  sense  insanity  and  folly  are  signified  by 

the  head.  R.  538. 

By  cutting  off  the  hair  of  the  head,  shaving  the  beard 

and  inducing  baldness  is  signified  to  deprive  of  all  good 

and  truth,  since  he  who  is  deprived  of  the  ultimates  is  also 

deprived  of  things  prior,  for  prior  things  exist  and  subsist 

in  ultimates.  E.  66. 

By  the  head  in  the  Word  are  signified  intelligence  and 

wisdom,  and  in  the  opposite  sense  science  and  thence 

infatuated  thought.  E.  577. 

24.  See  Psalm  lix.  7,  15.  A.  7784. 

25.  See  Psalm  xx.  10.  R.  664. 
25,  26.     The  damsels  playing  the  timbrels  also  stand  for 

affections  for  truth,  the  term  virgin  being  used  in  distinc- 
tion from  damsel  to  express  innocence.  A.  3081. 

A  virgin  signifies  the  good  of  the  celestial  church,  but  a 
maiden  the  truth  of  good,  which  is  the  spiritual  church. 
The  expressions  in  these  verses  are  all  used  of  the  truths 
of  good,  which  are  of  the  spiritual  church.  A.  6742. 

Praising  with  the  timbrel  stands  for  glorifying  from  the 
enjoyment  of  affection  for  the  good  of  faith,  praising  with 
the  harp  for  the  pleasantness  of  affection  for  the  truth  of 
faith.  A.  8337. 

See  Psalm  xlv.  10-16.  R.  620. 

These  things  are  said  concerning  the  Lord,  who  is  here 
meant  by  my  God  and  my  King.  His  advent  is  under- 
stood by  His  steps  in  the  sanctuary.     By  the  singers,  the 


238  PSALM    LXVIII. 

2S  players  on  instruments  and  on  timbrels  are  signified  all 
who  are  of  His  spiritual  and  celestial  kingdom.  By  the 
singing  virgins  those  who  are  of  the  Lord's  spiritual  king- 
dom, by  players  those  who  are  of  His  celestial  kingdom, 
who  are  called  virgins  from  the  affection  of  truth  and  good. 
Singing,  playing  on  instruments,  and  on  timbrels  are  pred- 
icated of  their  gladness  and  joy  of  heart,  for  by  pulsatory 
and  wind  instruments  is  described  the  joy  of  those  who 
are  of  the  celestial  kingdom,  by  singing  the  gladness  of 
those  who  are  of  the  spiritual  kingdom.  E.  863. 

25-27.     See  Psalm  xlvii.  2,  6-9.  E.  326. 

Here  to  bless  God  in  the  congregations,  even  the  Lord 
from  the  fountain  of  Israel  signifies  to  glorify  the  Lord 
from  spiritual  truths,  which  are  truths  from  good.  By 
congregations  in  the  Word  are  signified  the  same  as  by 
people,  those  who  are  in  spiritual  truths,  and  in  the  ab- 
stract those  truths  themselves.  By  the  fountain  of  Israel 
good,  since  thereby  is  salvation.  E.  340. 

25~3°'     Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord  on  this  account.     P.  P. 

25-32.  The  subjects  treated  of  in  these  passages  in  the 
spiritual  sense  are  the  advent  of  the  Lord,  the  glorifica- 
tion of  His  Human,  the  subjugation  of  the  hells,  and  sal- 
vation as  the  necessary  consequence  of  these.  Verses 
25-27  mean  the  celebration  of  the  Lord  on  account  of  His 
advent.  The  innocence  of  the  Lord  by  virtue  of  which 
He  operated  and  performed  all  things  is  signified  by, 
there  is  little  Benjamin  with  their  ruler.  The  princes  of 
Judah  and  their  council  signify  the  glorification  of  the 
Lord,  or  the  complete  union  of  the  Divine  and  Human. 
By  His  own  proper  power  is  signified  by  the  princes  of 
Zebulun  and  of  Naphtali.  Verses  29  and  30  mean  that 
hence  Divine  power  belongs  to  the  Lord's  Human.  The 
temple  signifies  the  Divine  Human  of  the  Lord,  and  Jeru- 
salem the  church  for  which  He  did  this.  The  company 
of  spearmen  and  the  multitude  of  bulls  stand  for  the  scien- 
tifics  of  the  natural  man  perverting  the  goods  and  truths 


PSALM   LXVIII.  239 

of  the  church,  calves  of  the  peoples  the  goods  of  the 
church,  the  pieces  of  silver  the  truths  of  the  church,  the 
people  who  delight  in  war,  those  who  pervert  and  reason 
against  the  truths  of  the  church.  By  the  subjugation  of 
the  hells  is  understood  the  subjugation  of  the  natural 
man.  E.  439. 

25j  36.  The  sanctuary  here  stands  for  the  heaven  where 
the  truth  of  faith  is,  therefore  it  is  said  God  and  not  Jeho- 
vah, as  also  King,  because  God  is  said  where  truth,  and 
Jehovah  where  good  is  the  subject.  A.  8330. 

27.  It  is  here  plain  that  to  bless  the  Lord  is  to  sing  to  Him, 
to  proclaim  the  good  tidings  of  His  salvation,  to  preach 
His  wisdom  and  power,  and  thus  to  confess  and  acknowl- 
edge the  Lord  from  the  heart.  A.  1422. 
See  Psalm  xxxvi.  9,  10.  R.  384. 
By  a  fountain  is  understood  the  Word,  and  by  fountains 
Divine  truths  thence.  E.  483. 

27,  28.  Neither  Benjamin,  nor  the  princes  of  Judah,  of 
Zebulun  and  of  Naphtali  are  understood,  but  the  things 
belonging  to  the  church  signified  by  those  tribes.  By 
little  Benjamin  is  here  signified  the  innocence  of  the  nat- 
ural man,  which  innocence  is  the  conjunction  of  good  and 
truth  therein.  E.  449. 

29,  30.  Let  the  causes  be  investigated  whence  it  is  that 
strength  is  in  ultima  tes,  otherwise  it  has  not  power  over 
the  natural  man  where  all  evil  is.  Ath.,  Page  46. 

31.  The  subject  here  treated  of  is  concerning  the  arro- 
gance of  those  who  from  scientifics  are  willing  to  enter 
into  the  mysteries  of  faith  and  not  to  acknowledge  any- 
thing but  what  they  themselves  hatch  thence.  Since 
these  see  nothing  from  the  light  of  heaven,  which  is  from 
the  Lord,  but  from  the  lumen  of  nature,  which  is  from 
the  proprium,  they  seize  upon  shadows  instead  of  light, 
upon  fallacies  instead  of  realities,  and  in  general  upon  the 
false  instead  of  truth.  They  think  insanely,  because  from 
lowest  principles  and  are  called  the  wild  beasts  of  the 


240  PSALM   LXVIII. 

3xreed.  Because  they  reason  sharply  they  are  called  the 
congregation  of  the  strong.  Because  they  dissipate  the 
truths  as  yet  remaining  as  scattered  among  the  goods  of 
those  who  are  in  the  truths  of  the  church,  it  is  said  that 
they  tread  under  foot  the  fragments  of  silver  among  the 
calves  of  the  people,  and  further  that  they  disperse  the 
people,  that  is  the  church  itself,  with  its  truths.  The  lust 
of  assaulting  and  destroying  those  truths  is  meant  by 
desiring  wars.  A.  9391. 

A  calf  stands  for  external  or  natural  good.  When 
there  is  no  good  of  innocence  and  charity,  as  with  those 
who  are  in  externals  without  an  internal,  then  by  a  calf 
is  signified  natural  and  sensual  delight,  which  is  the  delight 
of  pleasures,  of  lusts,  and  of  the  loves  of  self  and  of  the 
world.  A.  10407. 

By  calves  are  here  understood  the  affections  for  know- 
ing falsities.  R.  242. 

Since  the  natural  man  separated  from  the  spiritual  is 
carried  away  into  falsities  of  every  kind  and  thereby  be- 
comes hurtful,  therefore  Egypt  is  said  to  be  a  "  wild  beast 
of  reeds."  E.  388. 

By  the  wild  beast  of  the  reed  is  signified  the  affection 
or  cupidity  of  the  false  originating  from  scientifics  of  the 
sensual  man,  which  are  fallacies.   '  E.  654. 

The  church  at  its  end  is  in  falses  and  evils  thence  de- 
rived, and  yet  all  power  appertains  to  truths  from  good. 
Falses  have  power  against  those  who  are  in  falses  from 
evil.  It  is  from  this  circumstance  also  that  they  who  are 
in  falses  are  called  in  the  Word  powerful,  mighty,  robust, 
strong,  heroes,  rulers,  terrible,  formidable,  and  vastators. 

E.  783- 

The  natural  man  will  be  subdued.  P.  P. 

31,  32.  The  subject  here  treated  of  is  concerning  the  king- 
dom of  the  Lord,  that  heed  should  be  taken  of  the  false 
scientific,  that  is  of  the  scientific  falsely  applied  from  the 
natural  man  separate  from  the  spiritual  is  understood  by 


PSALM   LXVIII.  241 

rebuke  the  wild  beast  of  the  reed,  since  those  seientifics 
being  derived  from  the  fallacies  of  the  senses,  strongly 
persuade  is  meant  by  the  congregation  of  the  strong.  The 
calves  of  the  people  stand  for  the  goods  of  the  church  in 
the  natural  man,  the  plates  of  silver  the  truths  of  the 
church,  to  tread  upon  and  disperse  means  to  destroy  and 
dissipate,  which  is  done  by  those  who  are  natural  and 
sensual,  and  who  think  naturally  and  sensually  and  not 
at  the  same  time  spiritually,  thus  who  think  from  the  natu- 
ral and  sensual  man  separate  from  the  spiritual.  This 
man  is  understood  by  the  wild  beast  of  the  reed.  E.  627. 
32.  Egypt  here  stands  for  external  knowledges  and  Cush 
for  internal.  A.  1164. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  10.  R.  782. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  10.  E.  11 59. 

32,  33.  Egypt  signifies  the  natural  man  as  to  affection  for 
truth,  and  thence  knowledge  and  intelligence.       R.  503. 

By  the  fat  ones  out  of  Egypt  are  signified  the  gentiles 
or  nations  who  are  in  the  affection  of  knowing  truths,  and 
by  Cush  those  who  imbibe  them  from  the  delight  of  the 
natural  man.  E.  654. 

33,  34.  The  heavens  of  heavens  which  are  of  old  stand  for 
the  wisdom  of  the  Most  Ancient  Church,  a  voice  for  rev- 
elation as  well  as  for  an  internal  dictate.  A.  219. 

See  Psalm  xxix.  3.  A.  9926. 

See  Psalm  lxviii.  5.  W.  H. 

See  Psalm  xxix.  3-9.  R.  37. 

The  Divine  truth  is  here  signified  by  the  voice  of 

Jehovah.  E.  261. 

33-36.     Song  in  praise  of  the  Divine  power  of  the  Lord  — 

acquired  by  Him  —  through  union  —  with  the  Father. 

P.  P. 

34,  A  voice  stands  for  Divine  truth,  thus  for  the  Word, 
and  for  annunciation  from  it.  A.  6971. 

See  Psalm  xxxiii.  6.  A.  9408. 

A  horse  signifies  the  understanding  of  the  Word. 

R.  208. 


242  PSALM   LXVTII. 

See  Psalm  lxviii.  §.  E.  355. 

35.  The  light  of  a  cloud  signifies  the  Divine  truth  of  the 
Word,  and  strength  the  Divine  power  therein.  R.  24. 

See  Psalm  lxviii.  5.  T.  776. 

See  Psalm  lxviii.  5.  E.  36. 

In  this  passage  the  same  thing  is  signified  by  clouds,  as 
by  the  waters  above  the  firmament  —  Genesis  i.  7  — 
and  by  the  waters  above  the  heavens  —  Psalm  cxlviii.  4, 
for  clouds  are  composed  of  water,  and  water  signifies 
Divine  truth.  E.  594. 

36.  The  Divine  truth  proceeding  from  the  Lord  is  called 
the  spirit  of  truth,  heaven  is  called  the  habitation  of 
holiness,  and  the  church  is  called  the  sanctuary.      E.  204. 


PSALM  LXIX. 

For  the  Chief  Musician;  set  to  Shoshannim.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

1.  Save  me,  O  God; 

For  the  waters  are  come  in  unto  my  soul. 

2.  I  sink  in  deep  mire,  where  there  is  no  standing: 

I  am  come  into  deep  waters,  where  the  floods  overflow 
me. 

3.  I  am  weary  with  my  crying;  my  throat  is  dried: 
Mine  eyes  fail  while  I  wait  for  my  God. 

4.  They  that  hate  me  without  a  cause  are  more  than  the 

hairs  of  my  head: 
They   that   would   cut  me   off,   being  mine   enemies 

wrongfully,  are  mighty: 
That  which  I  took  not  away  I  have  to  restore. 

5.  O  God,  thou  knowest  my  foolishness; 
And  my  sins  are  not  hid  from  thee. 

6.  Let  not  them  that  wait  for  thee  be  put  to  shame  through 

me,  O  Lord  Jehovah  of  hosts: 
Let  not  those  that  seek  thee  be  brought  to  dishonor 
through  me,  O  God  of  Israel. 


PSALM   LXIX.  243 

7.  Because  for  thy  sake  I  have  borne  reproach; 
Shame  hath  covered  my  face. 

8.  I  am  become  a  stranger  unto  my  brethren. 
And  an  alien  unto  my  mother's  children. 

9.  For  the  zeal  of  thy  house  hath  eaten  me  up; 

And  the  reproaches  of  them  that  reproach  thee  are 
fallen  upon  me. 

10.  When  I  wept,  and  chastened  my  soul  with  fasting, 
That  was  to  my  reproach. 

1 1 .  When  I  made  sackcloth  my  clothing, 
I  became  a  byword  unto  them. 

12.  They  that  sit  in  the  gate  talk  of  me; 
And  /  am  the  song  of  the  drunkards. 

13.  But  as  for  me,  my  prayer  is  unto  thee,  O  Jehovah,  in  an 

acceptable  time: 
O  God,  in  the  abundance  of  thy  lovingkindness, 
Answer  me  in  the  truth  of  thy  salvation. 

14.  Deliver  me  out  of  the  mire,  and  let  me  not  sink: 

Let  me  be  delivered  from  them  that  hate  me,  and  out 
of  the  deep  waters. 

15.  Let  not  the  waterflood  overwhelm  me, 
Neither  let  the  deep  swallow  me  up; 

And  let  not  the  pit  shut  its  mouth  upon  me. 

16.  Answer  me,  O  Jehovah;  for  thy  lovingkindness  is  good: 
According  to  the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies  turn 

thou  unto  me. 

17.  And  hide  not  thy  face  from  thy  servant; 
For  I  am  in  distress;  answer  me  speedily. 

18.  Draw  nigh  unto  my  soul,  and  redeem  it: 
Ransom  me  because  of  mine  enemies. 

19.  Thou  knowest  my  reproach,  and  my  shame,  and  my 

dishonor: 
Mine  adversaries  are  all  before  thee. 

20.  Reproach  hath  broken  my  heart;  and  I  am  full  of 

heaviness : 
And  I  looked  for  some  to  take  pity,  but  there  was  none; 
And  for  comforters,  but  I  found  none. 

21.  They  gave  me  also  gall  for  my  food; 

And  in  my  thirst  they  gave  me  vinegar  to  drink. 


244  PSALM   LXIX. 

22.  Let  their  table  before  them  become  a  snare; 
And  when  they  are  in  peace,  let  it  become  a  trap. 

23.  Let  their  eyes  be  darkened,  so  that  they  cannot  see; 
And  make  their  loins  continually  to  shake. 

24.  Pour  out  thine  indignation  upon  them, 

And  let  the  fierceness  of  thine  anger  overtake  them. 

25.  Let  their  habitation  be  desolate; 
Let  none  dwell  in  their  tents. 

26.  For  they  persecute  him  whom  thou  hast  smitten; 
And  they  tell  of  the  sorrow  of  those  whom  thou  hast 

wounded. 

27.  Add  iniquity  unto  their  iniquity; 

And  let  them  not  come  into  thy  righteousness. 

28.  Let  them  be  blotted  out  of  the  book  of  life, 
And  not  be  written  with  the  righteous. 

29.  But  I  am  poor  and  sorrowful: 

Let  thy  salvation,  O  God,  set  me  up  on  high. 

30.  I  will  praise  the  name  of  God  with  a  song, 
And  will  magnify  him  with  thanksgiving. 

31.  And  it  will  please  Jehovah  better  than  an  ox, 
Or  a  bullock  that  hath  horns  and  hoofs. 

32.  The  meek  have  seen  it,  and  are  glad: 

Ye  that  seek  after  God,  let  your  heart  live. 

33.  For  Jehovah  heareth  the  needy, 
And  despiseth  not  his  prisoners. 

34.  Let  heaven  and  earth  praise  him, 

The  seas,  and  everything  that  moveth  therein. 

35.  For  God  will  save  Zion,  and  build  the  cities  of  Judah; 
And  they  shall  abide  there,  and  have  it  in  possession. 

36.  The  seed  also  of  his  servants  shall  inherit  it; 
And  they  that  love  his  name  shall  dwell  therein. 


PSALM   LXIX.  245 


Psalm  LXIX. 


1-5.     The  temptation-combats  of  the  Lord  even  to  despair, 

P.  P. 

2.     Waters   stand   for   falsities   and  also   for  temptations 

which  are  caused  by  injected  falsities.  A.  9050. 

Soul  is  here  used  to  denote  the  life  of  the  spirit  of  man, 

which  is  called  his  spiritual  life.  E.  750. 

2,  3,  15,  16.  By  depths  as  well  as  by  deeps  or  abysses  are 
signified  hells,  but  by  depths  hells  in  respect  of  evils,  and 
by  deeps  or  abysses  hells  in  respect  to  the  falsities  from 
evils."    See  Jeremiah  xlix.  8,  30.  A.  8279. 

See  Psalm  xlii.  8.  E.  538. 

3,  15,  16.     Clay  stands  for  evil  in  which  there  is  falsity. 

A.  6669. 

6.  even  to  the  thought  of  withdrawal.  P.  P. 

7.  See  Psalm  xli.  14.  A.  7091. 
7,  8.     But  He  endured  for  the  sake  of  those  who  awaited 

salvation.  P.  P. 

9.  See  Psalm  xxii.  23.  E.  746. 
9-13.     He  is  shamefully  treated  by  those  with  whom  was 

the  church.  P.  P. 

10.  Speaking  of  the  Lord.  The  zeal  of  the  house  of  Je- 
hovah stands  for  His  love  toward  those  who  receive  good 
and  truth,  for  they  are  the  house  of  Jehovah.         A.  8875. 

Zeal  in  the  Word  when  the  Lord  is  spoken  of  signifies 
love  and  wrath.     Here  love  is  meant.  R.  216. 

11.  12.     See  Psalm  xxx.  12.  R.  492- 

See  Psalm  xxx.  12.  E.  637. 

13.  They  that  dwell  in  the  gate  here  stand  for  evils  and 
falsities  and  also  for  the  infernals.  A.  2851. 

In  Matthew  xvi.  18  the  gates  of  hell  not  prevailing 
means  that  the  hells  durst  not  go  forth  and  destroy  the 
truths  of  faith.  Gates  in  the  opposite  sense  stand  for  an 
opening  into  hell.  A.  10483. 


246  PSALM   LXIX. 

14.  The  time,  acceptable  time,  or  time  of  the  good  pleasure 
of  Jehovah  signifies  acceptance  from  a  principle  of  love. 
Time  signifies  the  existing  state  when  predicated  of  men, 
but  perpetually  existing  when  predicated  of  Jehovah,  thus 
His  love  because  this  is  perpetual.  By  the  latter  clause 
of  this  verse  is  signified  hearing  and  help  springing  from 
a  principle  of  love  by  the  Divine  providence,  which  is 
Divine  truth.  E.  295. 

14-21.     Prayer  to  the  Father  for  help  lest  these  prevail. 

P.  P. 

15.  16.  That  the  pit  here  signifies  the  hells  where  and 
whence  are  falsities  is  manifest.  Let  not  the  pit  shut  her 
mouth  upon  me  means,  let  not  the  hell  whence  are  falsities, 
or  the  falsities  from  hell  wholly  possess  me,  so  that  I  may 
not  escape.  The  mire  stands  for  the  evil  of  what  is  false, 
to  sink  to  perish  thereby.  Let  me  be  delivered  from 
them  that  hate  me  and  out  of  deep  wraters  signifies  to 
be  liberated  from  the  evils  and  falsities  which  are  from 
the  hells,  haters  mean  evils  thence  derived,  and  deep 
waters  falsities  thence  derived.  The.  deep  means  the  hell 
where  are  the  falsities  of  evil.  E.  537. 

16.  See  Psalm  xxx.  4.  A.  4728. 
18.     See  Psalm  xiii.  2.  E.  412. 

That  God  is  said  to  be  nigh  at  hand  to  those  who  desist 
from  evils,  and  afar  off  from  those  who  are  in  evils  is 
evident.  A.  9378. 

These  passages  prove  that  Jehovah  and  the  Lord  are 
one.  R.  281. 

See  Psalm  xix.  15.  R.  613. 

See  Psalm  xxvii.  8,  9.  R.  939. 

See  Psalm  xliv.  27.  E.  328. 

To  draw  nigh  to  the  soul  signifies  the  Lord's  conjoining 
it  to  himself,  to  redeem  it  signifies  to  vindicate  it  from 
evils.  E.  328. 

Verse  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  87. 

22.     Since  the  Jewish  church  falsified  all  the  truths  of  the 


PSALM   LXIX.  247 

Word  .  .  .  and  the  Lord  in  all  the  things  of  His  passion 
represented  it  by  permitting  the  Jews  to  treat  Him  as 
they  did  the  Word,  because  He  was  the  Word,  therefore 
they  give  Him  vinegar  mixed  with  gall,  which  is  like  worm- 
wood, but  tasting  it  He  would  not  drink  it.  Wormwood 
signifies  infernal  falsity  owing  to  its  strong  bitterness,  by 
which  it  renders  food  and  drink  abominable.  R.  410. 

When  He  desired  the  good  and  truth  of  the  church, 
they  gave  Him  falsity  and  evil  as  upon  the  cross  gall  and 
vinegar.  P.  P. 

22,  23.  Table  in  the  opposite  sense  signifies  a  receptacle 
of  such  things  as  are  in  hell.  A.  9527. 

22-24.  These  things  being  said  concerning  the  Lord,  by 
gall  is  signified  truth  mixed  with  the  falsity  which  is  op- 
posite to  truth,  which  is  the  falsity  of  evil.  The  falsities 
which  obtained  among  the  upright  gentiles  were  of  an- 
other kind  and  are  signified  by  vinegar.  By  the  Lord's 
saying,  "I  thirst"  was  signified  Divine  spiritual  thirst, 
which  is  of  Divine  truth  and  good  in  the  church,  by  which 
mankind  may  be  saved.  By  their  table  becoming  a  snare 
before  them  is  signified  the  going  astray  of  error  in  re- 
gard to  every  truth  of  doctrine  from  the  Word.  The 
table  stands  for  all  spiritual  food,  and  spiritual  food  is 
everything  of  doctrine  from  the  Word.  Their  eyes  being 
darkened  that  they  could  not  see  signifies  their  under- 
standing as  to  truth,  their  loins  being  made  to  shake  con- 
tinually signifies  the  will  of  good  and  the  marriage  union 
thereof  with  the  understanding  of  truth.  E.  519. 

22,  26.  The  last  of  the  consummation  of  the  Israelitish 
and  Jewish  church  was  accomplished  when  our  Lord, 
the  Saviour,  after  receiving  the  sponge  of  vinegar  cried 
out  upon  the  cross,  "It  is  finished."  Coro.  59. 

23-29.     For  this  reason  they  are  being  destroyed.        P.  P. 

24.  The  thighs  and  the  loins  signify  marriage  love  in  the 
first  place,  and  thence  all  genuine  love.  A.  3021. 

27.     They  are  said  to  be  pierced,  or  thrust  through,  because 


24§  PSALM   LXIX. 

the  sword  by  which  this  is  done  signifies  the  false  destroy- 
ing truth.  Coro.  59. 

28,  29.  Because  remembrance  is  signified  by  writing  in  a 
book,  therefore  the  faithful  are  said  to  be  written  in  the 
book  of  life,  for  by  Divine  remembrance  is  signified  sal- 
vation, and  by  non-remembrance,  or  forgetting,  is  signi- 
fied damnation.  A.  8620. 

29.  They  that  are  in  faith  are  said  to  be  in  the  book  of 
lives.  A.  290. 

The  Word  is  here. meant  by  the  book,  from  which  and 
according  to  which  all  are  to  be  judged.  Therefore,  to 
be  written  in  the  book,  to  be  judged  from  the  book,  to  be 
blotted  out  of  the  book,  frequently  occur  where  the  state 
of  the  eternal  life  of  any  one  is  treated  of.  R.  256. 

The  reason  why  heaven  is  signified  by  the  book  of  life 
is  because  a  man  who  is  in  love  and  faith  to  the  Lord  is  a 
heaven  in- its  least  form,  and  this  heaven  corresponds  to 
heaven  in  the  greatest  form,  wherefore  he  who  has  heaven 
in  himself  also  comes  into  heaven,  for  he  is  qualified  for  it. 

E.  199. 

To  write  in  the  Word  signifies  to  inscribe  and  implant 
into  life.  Therefore  it  is  said  of  Jehovah,  or  the  Lord, 
that  He  writes,  and  that  He  has  written  in  a  book,  by 
which  is  understood  what  is  inscribed  by  the  Lord  on  the 
spirit  of  man,  that  is  in  his  heart  and  soul,  or  what  is  the 
same  in  his  love  and  faith.  E.  222. 

30,  31.     See  Psalm  xl.  3,  4.  A.  8261. 
30-32.     When  He  is  delivered  the  gospel  will  be  preached. 

P.  P. 

31.  See  Psalm  xlii.  5.  A.  420. 
Confession  involves  the  celestial  of  love.  Genuine  con- 
fession, which  is  from  the  heart,  can  only  be  from  good. 
The  confession  which  is  from  truth  is  called  the  voice  of 
joy,  the  voice  of  them  that  make  merry,  and  that  sing 
praises.                                                                     A.  3880. 

See  Psalm  vii.  18.  E.  326. 


PSALM    LXIX.  249 

32.  See  Psalm  xxix.  6.  A.  9391. 

33>  34-     See  Psalm  ix.  19.  R.  209. 

See  Psalm  ix.  19.  E.  238. 

33-3  7-     because  then  those  who  are  of  the  church  will  be 

saved,  and  will  worship  Him.  P.  P. 

34.  The  prisoners  stand  for  those  who  are  in  va stations 
and  in  temptations.  A.  5037. 

35.  Here  the  vastated  man  is  described  who  is  to  be  re- 
generated and  will  worship  the  Lord.  A.  28. 

The  seas  and  the  things  which  move  therein  cannot 
praise  Jehovah,  but  the  things  in  man  that  are  signified 
by  them  and  are  living,  thus  from  what  is  living  within 
them.  A.  994. 

35,  36.  According  to  the  style  of  the  Word  all  created 
things,  as  well  those  of  the  animal  kingdom  as  those  of 
the  vegetable  kingdom,  signify  the  Various  things  in  man, 
in  general  those  which  are  of  his  will  or  affection,  and 
those  which  are  of  his  understanding  or  thought.  They 
signify  these  things  because  they  correspond  to  them. 
And  as  the  Word  is  written  entirely  by  correspondences, 
similar  things  are  therefore  said  in  it  of  the  angels  of 
heaven,  and  of  the  men  of  the  church.  R.  290. 

In  these  passages  by  everything  that  moveth  are  under- 
stood the  sensual,  by  Zion  which  God  shall  save,  and  by 
the  cities  of  Judah  which  He  shall  build,  is  understood 
the  celestial  church  and  its  doctrine,  by  Zion  that  church, 
and  by  cities  the  doctrine  thereof.  E.  342. 

36,  37.  To  possess  by  inheritance  is  predicated  of  those 
who  are  in  celestial  love,  and  to  inherit  of  those  who  are 
in  spiritual  love.  A.  2658. 

Dwelling  and  at  the  same  time  possessing  is  predicated 
of  celestial  good,  but  dwelling  of  spiritual  good.    A.  2712. 

To  possess  hereditarily  is  predicated  of  those  who  are 
in  celestial  good,  and  to  inherit  of  those  who  are  in  spir- 
itual good,  celestial  good  is  the  good  of  love  to  the  Lord, 
and  spiritual  good  the  good  of  charity  toward  the  neighbor. 

A.  9338. 


250  PSALM   LXX. 

By  Judah  are  understood  all  they  who  are  in  good  by 
truths  from  the  Word.  E.  119. 


PSALM  LXX. 


For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  David;  to  bring  to  remem- 
brance. 

i.     Make  haste,  O  God,  to  deliver  me; 
Make  haste  to  help  me,  O  Jehovah. 

2.  Let  them  be  put  to  shame  and  confounded 
That  seek  after  my  soul: 

Let  them  be  turned  backward  and  brought  to  dishonor 
That  delight  in  my  hurt. 

3.  Let  them  be  turned  back  by  reason  of  their  shame 
That  say,  Aha,  aha. 

4.  Let  all  those  that  seek  thee  rejoice  and  be  glad  in  thee; 
And  let  such  as  love  thy  salvation  say  continually, 

Let  God  be  magnified. 

5.  But  I  am  poor  and  needy; 
Make  haste  unto  me,  O  God: 
Thou  art  my  help  and  my  deliverer; 
O  Jehovah,  make  no  tarrying. 

Psalm   LXX. 

1-4,  6.     Prayer  to  the  Father  for  help  against  the  hells, 

P.  P. 

5.  that  those  who  worship  Him  may  have  salvation.  P.  P. 
See  Psalm  xl.  17.  R.  507. 
See  Psalm  xl.  17.  E.  660. 

6.  These  words  were  spoken  by  David  who  was  not  poor 
and  needy  in  a  literal  sense,  from  which  consideration  it  is 
evident  that  spiritual  poverty  and  need  are  understood. 

A.  9209. 
See  Psalm  ix.  19.  R.  209. 

See  Psalm  xxxvii.  14.  E.  238. 


PSALM   LXXI. 


PSALM  LXXI. 


251 


1.  In  thee,  O  Jehovah,  do  I  take  refuge: 
Let  me  never  be  put  to  shame. 

2.  Deliver  me  in  thy  righteousness,  and  rescue  me: 
Bow  down  thine  ear  unto  me,  and  save  me. 

3.  Be  thou  to  me  a  rock  of  habitation,  whereunto  I  may 

continually  resort: 
Thou  hast  given  commandment  to  save  me; 
For  thou  art  my  rock  and  my  fortress. 

4.  Rescue  me,  O  my  God,  out  of  the  hand  of  the  wicked, 
Out  of  the  hand  of  the  unrighteous  and  cruel  man. 

5.  For  thou  art  my  hope,  O  Lord  Jehovah: 
Thou  art  my  trust  from  my  youth. 

6.  By  thee  have  I  been  holden  up  from  the  womb; 
Thou  art  he  that  took  me  out  of  my  mother's  bowels: 
My  praise  shall  be  continually  of  thee. 
I  am  as  a  wonder  unto  many; 
But  thou  art  my  strong  refuge. 
My  mouth  shall  be  filled  with  thy  praise, 
And  with  thy  honor  all  the  day. 
Cast  me  not  off  in  the  time  of  old  age; 

Forsake  me  not  when  my  strength  faileth. 

10.  For  mine  enemies  speak  concerning  me; 

And  they  that  watch  for  my  soul  take  counsel  together, 

11.  Saying,  God  hath  forsaken  him; 

Pursue  and  take  him;  for  there  is  none  to  deliver. 

12.  O  God,  be  not  far  from  me; 

O  my  God,  make  haste  to  help  me. 

13.  Let  them  be  put  to  shame  and  consumed  that  are  ad- 

versaries to  my  soul; 
Let  them  be  covered  with  reproach  and  dishonor  that 
seek  my  hurt. 

14.  But  I  will  hope  continually, 

And  will  praise  thee  yet  more  and  more. 

15.  My  mouth  shall  tell  of  thy  righteousness, 
And  of  thy  salvation  all  the  day; 

For  I  know  not  the  numbers  thereof. 


252  PSALM   LXXI. 

1 6.  I  will  come  with  the  mighty  acts  of  the  Lord  Jehovah: 
I  will  make  mention  of  thy  righteousness,  even  of  thine 

only. 

17.  O  God,  thou  hast  taught  me  from  my  youth; 
And  hitherto  have  I  declared  thy  wondrous  works. 

18.  Yea,  even  when  I  am  old  and  grayheaded,  O  God, 

forsake  me  not, 

Until  I  have  declared  thy  strength  unto  the  next  gen- 
eration, 

Thy  might  to  every  one  that  is  to  come. 

19.  Thy  righteousness  also,  O  God,  is  very  high; 
Thou  who  hast  done  great  things, 

O  God,  who  is  like  unto  thee  ? 

20.  Thou,  who  hast  showed  us  many  and  sore  troubles, 
Wilt  quicken  us  again, 

And  wilt  bring  us  up  again  from  the  depths  of  the 
earth. 

21.  Increase  thou  my  greatness, 
And  turn  again  and  comfort  me. 

22.  I  will  also  praise  thee  with  the  psaltery, 
Even  thy  truth,  O  my  God: 

Unto  thee  will  I  sing  praises  with  the  harp, 
O  thou  Holy  One  of  Israel. 

23.  My  lips  shall  shout  for  joy  when  I  sing  praises  unto 

thee; 
And  my  soul,  which  thou  hast  redeemed. 

24.  My  tongue  also  shall  talk  of  thy  righteousness  all  the 

day  long; 
For  they  are  put  to  shame,  for  they  are  confounded, 
that  seek  my  hurt. 

Psalm   LXXI. 

1-4,  y,  12,  14.     Confidence  that  the  Father  will  assist  Him. 

P.  P. 

2.     See  Psalm  xvii.  6.  A.  3869. 

5.  Whilst  man  is  in  the  womb  he  is  in  innocence,  whence 
his  first  state  after  birth  is  a  state  of  innocence,  and  the 
Lord  never  dwells  with  man  except  in  his  innocence, 


PSALM   LXXI.  253 

wherefore  He  then  especially  dwells  with  him  when  he  is 
in  innocence,  in  like  manner  man  is  then  in  a  state  of 
peace.  Wis.  iii. 

5,  16.  In  the  Word  of  the  Old  Testament  when  the  sub- 
ject is  the  celestial  things  of  love  or  good,  it  is  said  Je- 
hovah, but  when  it  is  the  spiritual  things  of  faith  or  truth, 
it  is  said  God.  When  both  together  are  treated  of  it  is 
said  Jehovah  God.  The  name  Lord  Jehovih  is  used 
when  the  aid  of  omnipotence  is  more  especially  sought 
and  implored,  as  in  Isaiah  xl.  9-1 1.  A.  2921. 

6.  The  signification  of  that  which  openeth  the  womb  is 
that  which  is  born  immediately  of  that  which  is  regener- 
ated, thus  what  is  from  charity.  For  he  who  is  conceived 
anew  comes  as  it  were  again  into  the  womb,  and  he  who 
is  born  anew  goes  forth  as  it  were  again  from  the  womb, 
but  that  what  is  conceived  in  the  womb  and  born  from 
the  womb  is  not  man  as  man,  but  the  faith  of  charity,  for 
this  makes  the  spiritual  of  man,  thus  as  it  were  the  man 
himself  anew,  for  then  his  life  is  thence  derived.     A.  8043. 

See  Psalm  xxii.  10.  T.  583. 

These  things  —  Jeremiah  i.  5  —  are  indeed  said  con- 
cerning the  prophet  Jeremiah,  but  still  by  prophet  in  the 
spiritual  sense  is  understood  one  that  teaches  truth,  and 
in  the  abstract  sense  the  doctrine  of  truth,  hence  by  form- 
ing him  in  the  womb,  and  knowing  him  before  he  came 
forth  from  the  womb  is  signified  foresight  that  he  could 
be  in  truth  from  good  by  regeneration,  thus  that  he  could 
receive  and  teach  the  Word.     So  in  David.  E.  710. 

6,  7.     He  was  the  Father's  from  birth.  P.  P. 

8,  15-19,  22-24.     And  the  name  of  God  will  be  preached. 

P.  P. 

9-1 1.  Let  not  the  hells  say  that  He  has  been  forsaken  by 
God.  P.  P. 

13.     Thus  they  withdraw.  P.  P. 

15,  16,  18,  19,  24.  That  the  subjugation  of  the  hells,  the 
ordination  of  the  heavens  by  the  Lord,  and  the  glorifica' 


2 54  PSALM   LXXI. 

tion  of  His  Human,  and  the  salvation  thence  derived  to 

man  who  receives  the  Lord  in  love  and  faith,  are  the 

justice  and  merit  which  belong  to  the  Lord  alone  may  be 

manifest  from  these  passages.  A.  9715. 

20.     See  Psalm  xlii.  8.  A.  8278. 

See  Psalm  xlii.  8.  E.  538. 

20,  24.     When  He  has  gained  the  victory.  P.  P. 

22.     The  Holy  One  of  Israel  is  the  Lord.  A.  3305. 

See  Psalm  lxix.  31,  add:  Singing  with  the  harp  and 

other  stringed  instruments  signifies  spiritual  things. 

A.  3880. 

Inasmuch  as  the  Lord  alone  is  holy  He  is  called  the 

Holy  One  of  Israel.  A.  9229. 

That  the  Lord  is  He  from  whom  is  every  thing  holy, 

and  that  He  is  the  very  holy  of  holies  itself  is  manifest. 

See  Daniel  ix.  24.     Therefore  also  the  Lord  is  called  the 

Holy  One  of  Israel.  A.  9680. 

See  Psalm  xxxiii.  2,  3.  R.  276. 

Since  by  the  psaltery  is  signified  spiritual  good,  or  the 

good  of  truth,  and  by  the  harp  spiritual  truth,  or  the  truth 

of  good,  and  confession  is  made  from  each  therefore  it  is 

said  (see  verse  22).  E.  323. 

22.  23.     See  Psalm  xxxiii.  1-4.  A.  420. 
Here  the  redemption  of  the  soul  means  liberation  from 

falsities,  for  by  soul  in  the  Word  is  signified  the  life  of 
faith,  and  by  heart  the  life  of  love,  wherefore  to  redeem 
the  soul  signifies  to  liberate  from  falsities,  and  to  give  the 
life  of  faith.  E.  328. 

23.  See  Psalm  lv.  18,  19.  R.  281. 
See  Psalm  xix.  15.                                                 R.  613. 

I  sing  to  thee,  and  my  soul  which  thou  hast  redeemed. 

D.  P.,  Page  87. 

24.  By  tongue  in  the  spiritual  sense  is  signified  the  doctrine 
of  the  church,  and  of  any  religion.  R.  282. 

Tongues  signify  confessions  from  religion,  and  accord- 
ing to  the  dogmas  of  religion.  E.  455. 


PSALM   LXXII.  255 

PSALM  LXXII. 

A  Psalm  of  Solomon. 

i.     Give  the  king  thy  judgments,  O  God. 
And  thy  righteousness  unto  the  king's  son. 

2.  He  will  judge  thy  people  with  righteousness, 
And  thy  poor  with  justice. 

3.  The  mountains  shall  bring  peace  to  the  people, 
And  the  hills,  in  righteousness. 

4.  He  will  judge  the  poor  of  the  people, 
He  will  save  the  children  of  the  needy, 
And  will  break  in  pieces  the  oppressor. 
They  shall  fear  thee  while  the  sun  endureth, 
And  so  long  as  the  moon,  throughout  all  generations. 
He  will  come  down  like  rain  upon  the  mown  grass, 
As  showers  that  water  the  earth. 
In  his  days  shall  the  righteous  flourish, 
And  abundance  of  peace,  till  the  moon  be  no  more. 
He  shall  have  dominion  also  from  sea  to  sea, 
And  from  the  River  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth. 
They  that  dwell  in  the  wilderness  shall  bow  before  him; 
And  his  enemies  shall  lick  the  dust. 

10.  The  kings  of  Tarshish  and  of  the  isles  shall  render 

tribute : 
The  kings  of  Sheba  and  Seba  shall  offer  gifts. 

11.  Yea,  all  kings  shall  fall  down  before  him; 
All  nations  shall  serve  him. 

12.  For  he  will  deliver  the  needy  when  he  crieth, 
And  the  poor,  that  hath  no  helper. 

13.  He  will  have  pity  on  the  poor  and  needy, 
And  the  souls  of  the  needy  he  will  save. 

14.  He  will  redeem  their  soul  from  oppression  and  violence; 
And  precious  will  their  blood  be  in  his  sight: 

15.  And  they  shall  live;  and  to  him  shall  be  given  of  the 

gold  of  Sheba: 
And  men  shall  pray  for  him  continually; 
They  shall  bless  him  all  the  day  long. 

16.  There  shall  be  abundance  of  grain  in  the  earth  upon 

the  top  of  the  mountains; 


256  PSALM   LXXII. 

The  fruit  thereof  shall  shake  like  Lebanon: 
And  they  of  the  city  shall  flourish  like  grass  of  the 
earth. 

17.  Kis  name  shall  endure  for  ever; 

His  name  shall  be  continued  as  long  as  the  sun: 
And  men  shall  be  blessed  in  him; 
All  nations  shall  call  him  happy. 

18.  Blessed  be  Jehovah  God,  the  God  of  Israel, 
Who  only  doeth  wondrous  things: 

19.  And  blessed  be  his  glorious  name  for  ever; 
And  let  the  whole  earth  be  filled  with  his  glory. 
Amen,  and  Amen. 

Psalm  LXXII. 

1-17.  Of  the  judgment  and  after  it  —  the  kingdom  of  the 
Lord.  D.    P.,  Page  72. 

1- 1 9.     Passages  concerning  the  coming  of  the  Lord. 

Coro.  60. 

1.  2,  4,     The  kingdom  of  the  Lord.  P.  P. 
J>  3>  5>  7-     By  the  sun  is  signified  love,  by  the  moon  faith, 

by  the  mountains  and  the  hills  the  Most  Ancient  Church, 
by  a  generation  of  generations  the  churches  after  the 
flood.  It  is  said  "till  the  moon  be  no  more"  because 
faith  will  be  love.     See  also  what  is  said  in  Isaiah  xxx.  26. 

A-  337- 

2.  See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  S.  85. 
See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  R.  668. 
See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.                                                  T.  51. 

2-4.  The  need}'  in  this  passage  are  they  who  are  in  spir- 
itual need  and  thereby  in  hunger,  that  is  in  a  desire  to  be 
instructed  in  truth.  A.  9209. 

3.  Mountains  stand  here  for  love  to  the  Lord,  hills  for 
love  toward  the  neighbour,  such  as  was  with  the  Most 
Ancient  Church,  which  because  of  this  character  is  also 
signified  by  mountains  and  hills  in  the  Word.         A.  795. 

Here  mountains  stand  for  celestial  love  and  hills  for 
spiritual  love.  A.  6435. 


PSALM    LXXII. 


b/ 


Mountains  signify  heaven,  where  the  good  of  celestial 

love  prevails.  A.  10438. 

3,  6,  7,  15,  16.     The  happy  state  of  those  who  are  of  His 

kingdom.  P.  P. 

3,  7.     See  Psalm  iv.  7-9.  R.  306. 

The  subjects  here  treated  of  are  the  advent  of  the  Lord 
and  the  establishment  of  His  kingdom.  By  the  moun- 
tains which  shall  bring  peace  to  the  people  is  signified 
love  to  the  Lord,  and  by  the  little  hills  by  righteousness 
love  toward  the  neighbour.  Hence  it  is  evident  that  by 
peace  is  understood  heavenly  joy  originating  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  Lord  by  love.  By  the  righteous  who  shall 
flourish  in  his  days  are  signified  those  who  are  in  the  good 
of  love,  hence  it  is  also  said  an  abundance  of  peace,  for 
peace  is  from  no  other  source  than  from  the  Lord,  and 
from  His  conjunction  with  those  who  are  in  the  good  of 
love.  As  long  as  the  moon  endureth  means  that  truth  will 
not  be  separated  from  good,  but  that  they  will  be  con- 
joined to  become  a  one.  E.  365. 

4,  12,  13.     See  Psalm  ix.  19.  R.  209. 

See  Psalm  ix.  19.  E.  238. 

5,  See  Psalm  xxxiii.  11.  A.  9789. 
Worship  of  Him  from  love  and  faith  from  eternity,  and 

thereafter.  P.  P. 

5,  7,   17.     This  also  is  concerning  the  Lord.     The  Lord 
appears  as  a  sun  in  heaven  before  the  angels.  R.  53. 

These  things  also  relate  to  the  Lord,  for  this  Psalm 
treats  concerning  Him.  The  Lord  appears  in  heaven  to 
those  who  are  in  His  celestial  kingdom  as  a  sun,  and  to 
those  who  are  in  His  spiritual  kingdom  as  a  moon.  They 
who  are  principled  in  love  to  the  Lord  shall  continue  in 
truths  from  that  good.  Since  truths  with  those  who  are 
in  the  celestial  kingdom,  or  who  are  in  love  to  the  Lord 
are  implanted  in  them,  they  are  called  just  and  are  in 
the  good  of  love,  and  peace  is  predicated  of  that  good. 

E.  401. 


258  PSALM    LXXII. 

6,  7.     Rain  signifies  the  Divine  truth  from  heaven.  R.  496. 

Rain  in  these  passages  does  not  signify  rain,  but  the 
influx  of  Divine  truth  with  man,  from  which  he  has  spir- 
itual life.  E.  644. 

7.  The  mediate  enlightenment  of  men  through  the  angelic 
heaven,  which  existed  before  the  coming  of  the  Lord, 
may  be  compared  to  the  light  of  the  moon  which  is  the 
mediate  light  of  the  sun.  Because  this  light  after  His  com- 
ing was  made  immediate  it  is  said  in  Isaiah  that  the  light 
of  the  moon  shall  be  like  the  light  of  the  sun,  and  in  this 
Psalm,  verse  7.     This  is  also  spoken  of  the  Lord.    W.  233. 

7,  8.     By  "in  that  day"  and  "in  that  time"  is  meant  the 

coming  of  the  Lord.  L.  4. 

There  are  many  places  in  which  the  Lord's  coming  and 

a  new  church  from  Him  at  that  time  are  meant  by  "  that 

day."  R.  704. 

7,  10.  That  heavenly  things  of  faith  are  here  signified  may 
be  seen  from  the  particulars  that  precede  and  that  follow. 
Similar  things  were  signified  by  the  queen  of  Sheba, 
1  Kings  x.  1-3.  A.  117. 

8.  These  things  are  said  concerning  the  Lord,  and  concern- 
ing His  dominion  over  heaven  and  earth,  from  sea  to  sea 
the  extension  of  things  natural,  from  the  river  even  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth  the  extension  of  things  rational  and 
spiritual.  E.  569. 

8j  9.  These  things  are  said  concerning  the  Lord.  By 
verse  8  is  understood  His  dominion  over  all  things  of 
heaven  and  the  church,  for  in  the  spiritual  world  the 
boundaries  are  seas,  and  the  intermediates  are  earths, 
where  there  are  habitations  for  angels  and  for  spirits. 
From  the  river  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth  signifies  all 
things  of  heaven  and  of  the  church  as  to  truths.  By  from 
sea  to  sea  all  things  of  heaven  and  of  the  church  as  to 
goods.  By  enemies  are  signified  evils,  of  whom  it  is  said 
that  they  shall  lick  the  dust,  that  is  shall  be  accursed. 

E.  406. 


PSALM   LXXII.  259 

8-12.     The  greatness  and  extension  of  His  dominion.  P.  P. 

8.  11,  17.     Verses  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  59. 

9.  Strangers  and  enemies  stand  for  those  that  only  regard 
earthly  and  worldly  things.  Dust  signifies  those  that  did 
not  regard  spiritual  and  celestial  things,  but  those  of  the 
body  and  the  earth.  A.  249. 

10.  These  words  relate  to  the  Lord,  and  by  bringing  pres- 
ents is  understood  to  worship.  By  the  kings  of  Tarshish 
and  of  the  isles  are  understood  the  interior  and  exterior 
truths  of  the  natural  man,  by  the  kings  the  interior  and  by 
the  islands  the  exterior  truths  thereof.  The  kings  of 
Sheba  and  Seba,  Sheba  the  interior  goods  of  the  natural 
man,  Seba  the  exterior  goods  thereof.  By  the  truths  of 
the  natural  man  are  meant  the  knowledges  of  truths  and 
by  his  goods  the  knowledges  of  goods.  E.  406. 

External  gifts  signified  internal  or  spiritual  gifts,  such 
as  proceed  from  the  heart.  E.  661. 

10,  11.  This  is  said  concerning  the  Lord,  His  kingdom 
and  the  celestial  church.  Any  one  may  see  that  by  tribute 
and  gifts  worships  are  signified.  By  Tarshish  and  the 
isles  are  meant  external  worship  corresponding  with 
internal.  By  Sheba  and  Seba  internal  worships  are 
meant,  Sheba  celestial  and  Seba  spiritual.  A.  11 71. 

These  things  were  said  of  the  Lord.  By  bringing  a 
present  and  a  gift  is  signified  the  good-  of  love  and  of  faith. 
Tarshish  signifies  the  doctrinals  of  love  and  of  faith, 
Sheba  and  Seba  the  knowledges  of  good  and  truth. 

A.  9293. 

11.  By  nations  and  kings  similar  things  are  signified  as  by 
nations  and  peoples.  Nations  those  who  are  in  the  good 
of  love,  and  peoples  those  who  are  in  the  truth  of  wisdom. 

R.  921. 

11,  13,  15.     Here  also  the  advent  of  the  Lord  is  treated  of. 

By  the  kings  who  shall  fall  down  before  Him,  and  by  the 

nations  who  shall  serve  Him  are  understood  all  who  are 

in  truths  from  good.     By  the  poor  whom  He  shall  pre- 


260  PSALM    LXXII. 

serve  are  understood  those  who  are  not  in  the  knowledges 
of  truth  and  good,  but  yet  desire  them.  E.  242. 

12-14.     Protection  and  redemption.  P.  P. 

13,  14.     See  Psalm  lxix.  2.  E.  750. 

13-16.  The  blood  precious  in  the  eyes  of  God  stands  for 
the  Divine  truth  with  them,  the  gold  of  Sheba  is  wisdom 
therefrom.  R.  379. 

The  foregoing  statement  repeated  in  T.  706. 

The  subject  treated  of  in  these  passages  is  the  blessed 
state  of  those  who  are  of  the  Lord's  kingdom,  and  who 
are  here  called  the  needy,  by  whom  are  signified  those 
who  desire  truths  from  spiritual  affection.  Concerning 
these  it  is  here  said  that  the  Lord  shall  redeem  their  soul 
from  deceit  and  violence,  by  which  is  signified  their  lib- 
eration from  evils  and  falsities  which  destroy  the  goods 
of  love  and  the  truths  of  faith.  That  their  reception  of 
Divine  truth  is  acceptable  and  grateful  to  the  Lord  is 
signified  by  its  being  said,  and  precious  shall  their  blood 
be  in  His  sight,  blood  denoting  the  Divine  truth  received. 
The  reformation  of  the  characters  here  spoken  of  is  de- 
cribed  by  the  words  in  Verse  15.  E.  329. 

13,  15.  Gold  signifies  the  good  of  love,  because  the  metals 
like  everything  else  that  appears  in  the  natural  world 
correspond.  .  R.  9T3- 

14.  That  blood  is  the  holy  proceeding  from  the  Lord's 
Divine  Human  is  plain  here,  precious  blood  standing  for 
the  holy  which  they  would  receive.  A.  4735. 

See  Psalm  v.  7.  R.  624. 

See  Psalm  lv.  24.  E.  866. 

14,  15.  By  the  needy  here  are  signified  those  who  desire 
truth  from  a  spiritual  affection.  Concerning  them  it  is 
said  that  He  shall  redeem  their  soul  from  deceit  and  vio- 
lence, by  which  is  signified  liberation  from  evils  and  fal- 
sities which  destroy  the  goods  of  love  and  the  truths  of 
faith.  The  reception  of  Divine  truth  by  them  is  de- 
scribed by,  precious  shall  their  blood  be  in  His  sight. 


PSALM   LXXII.  26l 

Their  reformation  is  described  in  verse  15.  Gold  of  Sheba 
is  the  good  of  charity.  Prayer  continually  describes  that 
they  shall  continually  be  detained  from  falsities  and  pre- 
served in  truths,  for  this  is  the  Divine  benediction,  and 
this  is  to  pray  continually  for  him.  E.  328. 

15.  Nothing  is  more  common  in  the  Word  than  for  the 
good  of  wisdom  or  of  love  to  be  signified  and  represented 
by  gold.  A.  113. 

By  Sheba  those  things  are  meant  which  abounded  in 
the  land  of  Cush  or  Ethiopia  gold,  precious  stones,  and 
spices  which  signify  good,  truth,  and  things  therefrom 
which  are  grateful.  A.  117. 

Celestial  good  is  the  good  of  love  to  the  Lord,  and  spir- 
itual good  the  good  of  love  towards  the  neighbour.  All 
those  goods  in  the  Word  are  called  gold.  Gold  from 
Sheba  is  the  good  of  knowledges.  A.  9881, 

17.  See  Psalm  xxi.  7.  A.  1420, 
They   have   acknowledged   the   Divine   Human   from 

eternity,  in  which  is  all  of  salvation.  P.  P. 

18.  See  Psalm  xli.  14.  A.  7091 

18,  19.     See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  A.  1096 

See  Psalm  lxviii.  27.  A.  1422 

That  the  Lord  is  called  the  God  of  Israel  is  manifest. 

L-  39 
See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  R.  289 

A  song  of  praise  to  Him.  P.  P 

Verses  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  59 

19.  Amen  stands  for  verity  and  truth.  Holy  in  the  WTord 
is  predicated  of  Divine  truth,  and  to  be  sanctified  of  those 
who  receive  it.  E.  228. 


262  PSALM   LXXIII. 

PSALM  LXXm. 
A  Psalm  of  Asaph. 

1.  Surely  God  is  good  to  Israel, 
Even  to  such  as  are  pure  in  heart. 

2.  But  as  for  me,  my  feet  were  almost  gone; 
My  steps  had  well  nigh  slipped. 

3.  For  I  was  envious  at  the  arrogant, 
When  I  saw  the  prosperity  of  the  wicked. 

4.  For  there  are  no  pangs  in  their  death; 
But  their  strength  is  firm. 

5.  They  are  not  in  trouble  as  other  men; 
Neither  are  they  plagued  like  other  men. 

6.  Therefore  pride  is  as  a  chain  about  their  neck; 
Violence  covereth  them  as  a  garment. 

7.  Their  eyes  stand  out  with  fatness: 
They  have  more  than  heart  could  wish. 

8.  They  scoff,  and  in  wickedness  utter  oppression: 
They  speak  loftily. 

9.  They  have  set  their  mouth  in  the  heavens, 
And  their  tongue  walketh  through  the  earth. 

10.  Therefore  his  people  return  hither: 

And  waters  of  a  full  cup  are  drained  by  them. 

11.  And  they  say,  How  doth  God  know? 
And  is  there  knowledge  in  the  Most  High  ? 

12.  Behold,  these  are  the  wicked; 

And,  being  alway  at  ease,  they  increase  in  riches. 

13.  Surely  in  vain  have  I  cleansed  my  heart, 
And  washed  my  hands  in  innocency; 

14.  For  all  the  day  long  have  I  been  plagued, 
And  chastened  every  morning. 

15.  If  I  had  said,  I  will  speak  thus; 

Behold,  I  had  dealt  treacherously  with  the  generation 
of  thy  children. 

16.  When  I  thought  how  I  might  know  this, 
It  was  too  painful  for  me; 

17.  Until  I  went  into  the  sanctuary  of  God, 
And  considered  their  latter  end. 


PSALM   LXXIII.  263 

18.  Surely  thou  settest  them  in  slippery  places: 
Thou  castest  thern  down  to  destruction. 

19.  How  are  they  become  a  desolation  in  a  moment! 
They  are  utterly  consumed  with  terrors. 

20.  As  a  dream  when  one  awaketh, 

So,  O  Lord,  when  thou  awakest,  thou  wilt  despise 
their  image. 

21.  For  my  soul  was  grieved, 
And  I  was  pricked  in  my  heart; 

22.  So  brutish  was  I,  and  ignorant; 
I  was  as  a  beast  before  thee: 

23.  Nevertheless  I  am  continually  with  thee: 
Thou  hast  holden  my  right  hand. 

24.  Thou  wilt  guide  me  with  thy  counsel, 
And  afterward  receive  me  to  glory. 

25.  Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee? 

And  there  is  none  upon  earth  that  I  desire  besides  thee. 

26.  My  flesh  and  my  heart  faileth; 

But  God  is  the  strength  of  my  heart  and  my  portion  for 
ever. 

27.  For,  lo,  they  that  are  far  from  thee  shall  perish: 
Thou  hast  destroyed  all  them  that  play  the  harlot,  de- 
parting from  thee. 

28.  But  it  is  good  for  me  to  draw  near  unto  God: 
I  have  made  the  Lord  Jehovah  my  refuge, 
That  I  may  tell  of  all  thy  works. 


Psalm  LXXIII. 

1-9.  A  matter  of  wonder  to  some,  that  the  evil  vaunt  them- 
selves and  prosper.  '  P.  P. 

10-14.  Whereby  the  good  are  led  astray,  imagining  that 
good  is  of  no  use,  neither  affliction.  P.  P. 

12.  Here  an  age  signifies  the  world  and  the  life  therein. 

A.  10248. 

13.  See  Psalm  xxvi.  6.  A.  9262. 
To  render  the  heart  pure  is  to  be  purified  interiorly, 

and  to  wash  the  hands  in  innocence  is  exteriorly. 

A.  10296. 


264  PSALM   LXXIII. 

T3  Here  to  wash  his  hands  in  innocency  means  to  testify 
himself  to  be  innocent  and  pure  from  evils  and  falsities, 
for  the  washing  of  the  hands  was  also  a  proof  of  innocence, 
as  may  further  appear  from  what  is  recorded  of  Pilate  in 
Matthew  xxvii.  24.  E.  475. 

15-20,  27.  But  afterward  it  is  granted  them  to  know  that 
the  evil  are  nevertheless  devastated  and  consumed.    P.  P. 

17-19.  Vastation,  desolation,  and  consummation  of  the 
Israelitish  and  Jewish  church  are  here  still  further  men- 
tioned. Coro.  59. 
I  discern  their  latter  end,  thou  setteth  them  in  slippery 
places,  they  become  a  waste  in  a  moment,  they  are  at 
an  end.                                                         D.  P.,  Page  32. 

20.  All  spiritual  things  may  be  exhibited  by  images  in  the 
spiritual  world,  also  by  idols,  and  all  the  particulars  of 
doctrine  may  be  thereby  portrayed.  E.  827. 

21.  22.     See  Psalm  vii.  10.  R.  140. 

The  infestation  of  good  by  evil,  and  truth  by  falsity  is 

described  by  these  words.  E.  167. 

They  do  not  know  this.  P.  P. 

22.  Beasts  signify  affections  in  man,  evil  with  the  evil,  good 
with  good.  A.  46. 

See  Psalm  xlix.  11.  A.  9140. 

22-24.  By  the  right  hand  when  predicated  of  man  is  sig- 
nified wisdom  from  Divine  truth.  To  lead  with  counsel 
is  to  lead  by  Divine  truth,  to  receive  to  glory  is  to  bless 
with  intelligence,  for  glory  when  predicated  of  the  Lord 
signifies  Divine  truth  and  Divine  wisdom,  but  when 
predicated  of  man  it  signifies  intelligence  thence  derived. 

E.  298. 

23-26.  But  the  good  are  always  upheld  and  live  with  the 
Lord.  P.  P. 


PSALM   LXXIV.  265 

PSALM  LXXIV. 

Maschil  of  Asaph. 

i.     0  God,  why  hast  thou  cast  us  off  for  ever? 

Why  doth  thine  anger  smoke  against  the  sheep  of  thy 
pasture  ? 

2.  Remember  thy  congregation,  which  thou  hast  gotten 

of  old, 

Which  thou  hast  redeemed  to  be  the  tribe  of  thine  in- 
heritance; 

And  mount  Zion,  wherein  thou  hast  dwelt. 

3.  Lift  up  thy  feet  unto  the  perpetual  ruins, 

All  the  evil  that  the  enemy  hath  done  in  the  sanctuary. 

4.  Thine  adversaries  have  roared  in  the  midst  of  thine 

assembly ; 
They  have  set  up  their  ensigns  for  signs. 

5.  They  seemed  as  men  that  lifted  up 
Axes  upon  a  thicket  of  trees. 

6.  And  now  all  the  carved  work  thereof 

They  break  down  with  hatchet  and  hammers. 

7.  They  have  set  thy  sanctuary  on  fire; 

They  have  profaned  the  dwelling-place  of  thy  name  by 
casting  it  to  the  ground. 

8.  They  said  in  their  heart,  Let  us  make  havoc  of  them 

altogether: 
They  have  burned  up  all  the  synagogues  of  God  in  the 
land. 

9.  We  see  not  our  signs: 

There  is  no  more  any  prophet; 

Neither  is  there  among  us  any  that  knoweth  how  long. 

10.  How  long,  O  God,  shall  the  adversary  reproach? 
Shall  the  enemy  blaspheme  thy  name  for  ever? 

1 1 .  Why  drawest  thou  back  thy  hand,  even  thy  right  hand  ? 
Pluck  it  out  of  thy  bosom  and  consume  them. 

12.  Yet  God  is  my  King  of  old, 

Working  salvation  in  the  midst  of  the  earth. 

13.  Thou  didst  divide  the  sea  by  thy  strength: 

Thou  brakest  the  heads  of  the  sea-monsters  in  the 
waters. 


266  PSALM    LXXIV. 

14.  Thou  brakest  the  heads  of  leviathan  in  pieces; 
Thou  gavest  him  to  be  food  to  the  people  inhabiting 

the  wilderness. 

15.  Thou  didst  cleave  fountain  and  flood: 
Thou  driedst  up  mighty  rivers. 

16.  The  day  is  thine,  the  night  also  is  thine: 
Thou  hast  prepared  the  light  and  the  sun. 

17.  Thou  hast  set  all  the  borders  of  the  earth: 
Thou  hast  made  summer  and  winter. 

18.  Remember  this,  that  the  enemy  hath  reproached,  O 

Jehovah, 
And  that  a  foolish  people  hath  blasphemed  thy  name. 

19.  Oh  deliver  not  the  soul  of  thy  turtle-dove  unto  the  wild 

beast: 
Forget  not  the  life  of  thy  poor  for  ever. 

20.  Have  respect  unto  the  covenant; 

For  the  dark  places  of  the  earth  are  full  of  the  habita- 
tions of  violence. 

21.  Oh  let  not  the  oppressed  return  ashamed: 
Let  the  poor  and  needy  praise  thy  name. 

22.  Arise,  O  God,  plead  thine  own  cause: 

Remember  how  the  foolish  man  reproacheth  thee  all 
the  day. 

23.  Forget  not  the  voice  of  thine  adversaries: 

The  tumult  of  those  that  rise  up  against  thee  ascendeth 
continually. 

Psalm  LXXIV. 

1-9.     The  church  with  all  things  appertaining  to  it  has  been 

utterly   destroyed,   and  its   holy   things   profaned,   they 

saying  in  their  heart  that  religion  is  not  anything.       P.  P. 

2.     The  mountain  of  Zion  signified  the  Divine  good,  and 

the  church  as  to  that  good.  E.  405. 

Since  by  Israel  is  signified  the  church  which  is  in  truths 

derived  from  good,  therefore  Israel  in  the  Word  is  called 

the  tribes  of  Jehovah's  inheritance.  E.  431. 

Thou  hast  redeemed  to  be  the  tribe  of  thine  inheritance. 

D.  P.,  Page  87. 


PSALM   LXXIV.  267 

2,  10,  11.     Prayer  to  the  Lord  to  bring  help.  P.  P. 

3.  The  vastation,  desolation,  and  consummation  of  the 
Israelitish  and  Jewish  church  are  still  further  mentioned. 

Coro.  59. 

3,  4.  The  enemy  here  mentioned  signifies  evil  from  hell, 
the  sanctuary  the  church,  and  the  feast  worship,  hence 
it  is  evident  what  these  words  mean  in  a  series.  Roaring 
signifies  grievous  lamentation  from  grief  of  heart.  E.  601. 

3,  4,  9.  Testifications  that  a  thing  is  true  are  signified  by 
signs.  R.  598. 

The  enemy  has  destroyed  all  things  in  the  sanctuary 
means  that  evil  has  destroyed  the  holy  things  of  the 
church.  The  enemies  have  roared  in  the  midst  of  thy 
feast  signifies  that  falses  have  destroyed  all  things  of  wor- 
ship, they  have  set  signs  for  signs  signifies  that  they  have 
testified  and  persuaded  by  every  means.  We  see  not  our 
signs  signifies  that  no  testifications  of  truth  were  received 
in  the  church,  there  is  no  more  a  prophet  signifies  no  doc- 
trine of  truth.  E.  706. 

5,  6,  7.  By  the  axe  in  these  places  is  signified  falsity  from 
one's  own  intelligence,  the  reason  is  because  by  iron  is 
signified  truth  in  ultimates,  which  is  called  sensual  truth, 
which  when  it  is  separated  from  rational  and  spiritual 
truth  is  turned  into  falsity.  R.  847. 

7.     The  Divine  things  proceeding  from  the  Divine  Human 

of   the    Lord   are    properly   called   habitations.     Hence 

heaven  itself  is  called  a  habitation.  A.  9594. 

See  Psalm  xliii.  3.  E.  799. 

7-9.  That  lusts  arising  from  evil  loves  destroyed  the  goods 
and  truths  of  the  church  is  signified  by  the  enemies  casting 
fire  into  the  sanctuary,  and  defiling  the  dwelling  place  of 
the  name  of  Jehovah.  That  they  altogether  destroyed 
all  things  pertaining  to  Divine  worship  is  signified  by 
their  burning  all  the  synagogues  of  God  in  the  earth. 
That  there  was  no  longer  any  doctrine  of  truth  or  under- 
standing of  truth  is  signified  by  verse  9.  E.  504. 


268  PSALM  LXXIV. 

12.  See  Psalm  v.  to.  R.  44. 
See  Psalm  xx.  10.                                                 R.  664. 

Working  salvation  in  the  midst  of  the  earth  means  in 

all  parts.  E.  313. 

12-15.     Before  this  He  has  overthrown  the  hells.        P.  P. 

13.  It  is  a  water  serpent  which  is  here  signified,  for  in 
the  original  serpent  is  expressed  by  the  same  term  as 
whale,  which  is  the  largest  fish  of  the  sea.  A  whale  sig- 
nifies knowledges  in  general.  As  whales  signify  knowl- 
edges perverting  the  truths  of  faith,  by  them  are  also 
signified  reasonings  from  fallacies,  whence  come  fallacies. 

A.  7293. 

13,  14.  In  Isaiah  xliii.  20  and  Jeremiah  xiv.  6  the  same 
word  is  used  for  dragons  as  for  serpents  in  general,  and 
whales  in  the  sea  are  also  meant  by  the  same  word,  by 
which  also  the  same  is  signified,  namely,  the  natural 
principle  of  man  in  common,  which  is  the  sensual.  E.  714. 

13-15.  The  subject  here  treated  of  in  the  internal  sense 
is  concerning  sciences  destroying  the  truths  of  faith,  the 
whales  whose  head  shall  be  broken  are  scientifics  in  gen- 
eral, so  also  Leviathan.  The  people  of  Ziim  are  they 
who  are  in  falses,  or  falses  themselves.  Hence  it  is  evi- 
dent that  the  sea  is  the  scientific  misapplied  to  weaken 
and  destroy  truths.  -  -  A.  9755. 

Here  also  by  fountains  and  rivers  are  signified  the  fal- 
sities of  doctrine  which  are  from  self-derived  intelligence, 
the  mighty  rivers  are  confirmed  principles  of  what  is 
false  thence  derived.  By  the  dragons  and  by  leviathan 
are  signified  the  scientifics  belonging  to  the  sensual  and 
natural  man,  from  which  all  that  is  false  is  derived,  when 
the  spiritual  man  is  shut  over  them.  The  people  in- 
habiting the  wilderness,  to  whom  leviathan  is  said  to  be 
given  for  meat,  signify  those  who  are  immersed  in  infernal 
falsities.  E.  483. 

14.  See  Psalm  lxxiv.  13.  A.  7293. 
Diabolical  love  is  the  love  of  self.     This  love  causes  its 


PSALM  LXXIV.  269 

lust  to  appear  in  the  distance  in  hell  where  it  reigns  like 
various  species  of  wild  beasts,  some  like  foxes  and  leopards, 
some  like  wolves  and  tigers,  and  some  like  crocodiles  and 
venomous  serpents.  The  ochim,  tziim,  and  ijim,  which 
are  mentioned  in  the  prophetical  portions  of  the  Word, 
where  the  love  of  ruling  from  the  love  of  self  is  spoken  of 
are  nothing  else.  T.  45. 

The  whale  also  which  is  understood  by  the  leviathan 
signifies  the  natural  man  as  to  scientifics.  E.  455. 

14,  15.     To  dry  up  mighty  rivers  means  to  dissipate  the 

more  powerful  falsities.  A.  8185. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  5.  E.  518. 

16.  By  light  in  general  Divine  truth  is  signified,  which  is 
truth  from  the  Word.  By  the  light  of  the  sun  spiritual 
Divine  truth,  and  by  the  light  of  the  moon  and  stars  nat- 
ural Divine  truth,  both  from  the  Word.  The  Divine 
truth  in  the  spiritual  sense  of  the  Word  is  like  the  light  of 
the  sun  in  the  day,  and  in  the  natural  sense  of  the  Word 
like  the  light  of  the  moon  and  stars  in  the  night.  R.  414. 
By  light  from  the  sun,  which  is  called  the  light  of  the 
day  and  also  day,  spiritual  light  is  understood,  such  as 
the  angels  enjoy  who  see  the  Lord  as  a  sun,  and  by  light 
from  the  moon  and  stars,  which  is  called  the  light  of  the 
night  and  also  night,  is  understood  natural  light,  such  as 
the  angels  enjoy  who  behold  the  Lord  as  a  moon.  E.  527. 

16,  17.  Alternations  with  those  who  are  to  be  regenerated 
are  likened  to  cold  and  heat,  but  the  alternations  with 
those  who  are  regenerated  to  summer  and  winter.  Such 
alternations  are  given  with  the  regenerate  man  not  only 
while  he  lives  in  the  body,  but  also  when  he  comes  into 
the  other  life,  for  without  alternations  as  of  summer  and 
winter  as  to  what  is  of  his  will,  and  as  of  day  and  night  as 
to  what  is  of  his  understanding,  he  cannot  be  perfected 
and  rendered  happier.  But  these  alternations  in  the 
other  life  are  like  those  of  summer  and  winter  in  the  tem- 
perate zones,  and  as  the  changes  of  day  and  night  in 
springtime.  A.  935. 


270  PSALM  LXXIV. 

17  Time  signifies  those  things  which  appertain  to  time  as 
spring,  summer,  autumn,  and  winter,  by  which  are  sig- 
nified states  of  a  person  about  to  be  regenerated,  and  of  a 
regenerate  person.  Similar  things  are  also  signified  by 
the  times  of  the  day,  morning,  noon,  evening,  and  night. 

E.  610. 

And  before  this,  being  protected,  He  has  established  a 

church.  P.  P. 

18,  19.     See  Psalm  1.  10,  11.  R.  567. 
By  the  enemy  who  reproachest  Jehovah  is  signified  hell 

and  evil  thence  derived,  by  the  foolish  people  who  despise 
His  name  falses  which  are  opposed  to  the  truth  of  doctrine. 
People  stand  for  those  who  are  in  truth,  and  in  the  oppo- 
site sense  those  who  are  in  falses,  who  are  the  foolish 
people.  The  name  Jehovah  means  all  truths  of  doctrine 
and  of  the  church.  Verse  19  signifies  not  to  give  spiritual 
good  to  those  who  are  in  the  lusts  of  evil.  The  life  of 
thine  afflicted  means  the  spiritual  life  oppressed  by  evils 
and  falses.  E.  650. 

The  states  of  the  church  are  described  by  beasts. 

Coro.  3. 

18-21.     Let  there  therefore  be  compassion,  that  the  church 

perish  not,  P.  P. 

19.  Wild  animals  stand  for  those  who  are  of  no  charity, 
the  soul  of  the  turtle-dove  for  the  life  of  faith.         A.  870. 

Wild  animal  in  the  opposite  sense  is  taken  in  the  Word 
for  what  is  not  living.  A.  908. 

The  turtle-dove  signifies  spiritual  good,  thus  also  those 
who  are  in  that  good.  The  wild  beast  signifies  the  falsity 
of  evil  desiring  to  destroy,  consequently  those  are  meant 
who  are  in  that  falsity.  E.  388. 

21.  See  Psalm  ix.  19.  R.  209. 
See  Psalm  ix.  19.  E.  238. 

22,  23.     through  the  uprising  of  evil.  P.  P. 


PSALM   LXXV.  271 


PSALM  LXXV. 

For  the  Chief  Musician;  set  to  Al-tashheth.     A  Psalm  of  Asaph,  a 

Song. 

1.     We  give  thanks  unto  thee,  O  God; 

We  give  thanks,  for  thy  name  is  near: 

Men  tell  of  thy  wondrous  works. 

When  I  shall  find  the  set  time, 

I  will  judge  uprightly. 

The  earth  and  all  the  inhabitants  thereof  are  dissolved: 

I  have  set  up  the  pillars  of  it.  [Selah 

I  said  unto  the  arrogant,  Deal  not  arrogantly; 

And  to  the  wicked,  Lift  not  up  the  horn: 

Lift  not  up  your  horn  on  high; 

Speak  not  with  a  stiff  neck. 

For  neither  from  the  east,  nor  from  the  west, 

Nor  yet  from  the  south,  cometh  lifting  up. 

But  God  is  the  judge: 

He  putteth  down  one,  and  lifteth  up  another. 

For  in  the  hand  of  Jehovah  there  is  a  cup,  and  the 
wine  foameth; 

It  is  full  of  mixture,  and  he  poureth  out  of  the  same: 

Surely  the  dregs  thereof,  all  the  wicked  of  the  earth 
shall  drain  them,  and  drink  them. 
9.     But  I  will  declare  for  ever, 

I  will  sing  praises  to  the  God  of  Jacob. 
10.     All  the  horns  of  the  wicked  also  will  I  cut  off; 

But  the  horns  of  the  righteous  shall  be  lifted  up. 

Psalm  LXXV. 

1.  See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 
See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1-4.  When  the  Lord  comes  He  will  raise  up  the  fallen 
church.  P.  P. 

2.  Confessing  and  confession  mean  to  acknowledge  Je- 
hovah, or  the  Lord,  and  the  things  which  are  His.  That 
this  acknowledgment  is  doctrine  and  the  Word  is  manifest. 

A.  1880. 


272  PSALM  LXXV. 

3,  4.     See  Psalm  xxvii.  13.  R.  285. 

By  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  being  dissolved  are  sig- 
nified those  of  the  church  who  are  not  in  truths,  but  who 
nevertheless  desire  to  know  them.  To  bear  up  the  pillars 
of  the  earth  signifies  to  support  the  church  by  those  truths 
upon  which  it  is  founded.  E.  219. 

The  earth  stands  for  the  church  which  is  said  to  be 
dissolved  when  truths  fail  by  which  good  is  attained. 
Because  truths  support  the  church  they  are  called  its 
pillars  which  God  bears  up.  As  the  restoration  of  the 
church  is  here  described  it  is  therefore  said  "When  I 
shall  receive  the  congregation  I  will  judge  uprightly." 

E.  304. 

By  a  pillar  is  signified  a  stay  which  supports,  and  it  is 
predicated  of  the  natural,  because  the  natural  is  like  a 
support  or  basis  to  the  spiritual,  for  the  spiritual  termin- 
ates in  the  natural  and  there  rests.  A.  8106. 

The  pillars  of  the  earth  stand  for  the  goods  and  truths 
which  support  the  church,  for  earth  in  the  Word  is  the 
church.  A.  9674. 

5-7.     Let  not  the  evil  exalt  themselves  above  the  good, 

P.  P. 

5,  6,  11.     The  horns  of  the  wicked  stand  for  the  power  of 

falsity  from  evil,  the  horns  of  the.  just  for  the  power  of 

truth  from  goo'd.  A.  2832. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  2,  3.  R.  270. 

By  lifting  up  the  horn  on  high  is  signified  to  defend 
strongly  what  is  false  against  the  truth,  wherefore  it  is 
also  said,  speak  not  with  a  stiff  neck.  By  cutting  off  their 
horns  is  signified  to  destroy  their  falsities,  and  by  exalting 
the  horns  of  the  righteous  is  signified  to  render  the  truth 
of  good  powerful  and  strong.  E.  316. 

8.  for  the  judgment  comes  in  which  the  evil  perish,  and 
the  good  are  saved.  P.  P- 

9.  A  cup  in  these  passages  also  stands  for  insanity  from 
falsities  and  their  evils.     It  is  called  the  cup  of  the  fury 


PSALM   LXXV.  273 

of  Jehovah,  and  also  of  the  right  hand  of  Jehovah,  for 
the  reason  that  the  Jewish  nation,  like  the  common  people, 
believed  evils  and  the  punishment  of  evils  to  come  from 
no  other  source  than  from  Jehovah,  when  yet  they  are 
from  the  man  himself,  and  from  the  infernal  crew  with 
him.  A.  5120. 

As  most  expressions  in  the  Word  have  also  a  contrary 
sense,  so  also  has  wane,  in  wrhich  sense  it  signifies  falsity 
from  evil.  A.  6377. 

That  wine  signifies  holy  truth  may  also  be  evident 
from  its  opposite  sense  in  which  it  signifies  truth  falsified 
and  profaned.  R.  316. 

By  the  wine  of  the  anger  of  God  in  Revelation  xiv.  the 
truth  of  the  Word  adulterated  and  falsified  is  signified. 
The  same  is  here  signified  by  mixing  wine  and  by  its  being 
poured  out.  R.  635. 

See  Psalm  xi.  6.  R.  672. 

To  be  made  drunk  signifies  to  be  insane  in  spiritual, 
that  is,  in  theological  things.  R.  721. 

Wrine  in  the  opposite  sense  signifies  truth  falsified,  also 
falsity  itself.  E.  376. 

See  Psalm  xi.  6.  E.  960. 

By  the  cup  in  the  hand  of  Jehovah  and  by  the  wine  is 
signified  Divine  truth.  By  mixing  and  by  mixture  is 
signified  profanation,  for  the  mixing  together  of  the  false 
with  truth  is  understood.  By  pouring  out  thence,  and 
the  impious  of  the  earth  draining  the  dregs  and  drinking 
them  is  signified  the  punishment  of  profanation.  E.  11 16. 
9,  10.     See  Psalm  xlvi.  7,  8.  A.  3305. 

9.  11.     The  evil  will  then  perish  through  direful  falsities. 

P.  P. 

10.  but  the  good  will  worship  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

11.  In  these  passages  by  horns  is  signified  power,  and  in- 
deed power  in  each  sense,  namely,  the  power  of  truth 
against  the  false,  and  of  the  false  against  truth,  for  the 
subject  treated  of  in  the  internal  sense  of  the  WTord 
throughout  is  concerning  the  state  of  the  church.  A.  10182. 


2  74  PSALM    LXXVI. 


PSALM  LXXVI. 

For  the  Chief  Musician;  on  stringed  instruments.     A  Psalm  of  Asaph, 
a  Song. 

i.     In  Judah  is  God  known: 
His  name  is  great  in  Israel. 

2.  In  Salem  also  is  his  tabernacle, 
And  his  dwelling-place  in  Zion. 

3.  There  he  brake  the  arrows  of  the  bow; 

The  shield,  and  the  sword,  and  the  battle.  [Selah 

4.  Glorious  art  thou  and  excellent, 
From  the  mountains  of  prey. 

5.  The  stouthearted  are  made  a  spoil, 
They  have  slept  their  sleep; 

And  none  of  the  men  of  might  have  found  their  hands. 

6.  At  thy  rebuke,  O  God  of  Jacob, 

Both  chariot  and  horse  are  cast  into  a  dead  sleep. 

7.  Thou,  even  thou,  art  to  be  feared; 

And  who  may  stand  in  thy  sight  when  once  thou  art 
angry  ? 

8.  Thou  didst  cause  sentence  to  be  heard  from  heaven; 
The  earth  feared,  and  was  still, 

9.  When  God  arose  to  judgment, 

To  save  all  the  meek  of  the  earth.  [Selah 

10.  Surely  the  wrath  of  man  shall  praise  thee: 
The  residue  of  wrath  shalt  thou  gird  upon  thee. 

11.  Vow,  and  pay  unto  Jehovah  your  God: 

Let  all  that  are  round  about  him  bring  presents  unto 
him  that  ought  to  be  feared. 

12.  He  will  cut  off  the  spirit  of  princes: 
He  is  terrible  to  the  kings  of  the  earth. 


PSALM   LXXVI.  275 


Psalm  LXXVI. 

1.  See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 
See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1-5.  The  Lord  is  in  His  church,  protection  there  against 
falsities  and  evils.  P.  P. 

2.  3.  Salem  in  the  original  language  means  peace,  and  also 
perfection,  thus  it  signifies  a  state  of  peace  and  a  state  of 
perfection.  A.  1726. 

2-4.  The  bow  and  arrows  plainly  stand  for  the  doctrine 
of  falsity.  A.  2686. 

It  is  manifest  that  Shalem  is  the  tranquillity  of  peace, 
for  it  is  said  that  he  brake  there  the  fiery  shafts  of  the  bow, 
the  shield,  and  the  sword,  and  the  war,  and  also  from  its 
signification  in  the  original  language,  for  Shalem  means 
tranquillity  and  perfection.  A.  4393. 

See  Psalm  xi.  2.  R.  299. 

3.  See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  R.  612. 
See  Psalm  xlviii.  3,  4.  E.  850. 

3,  4.     See  Psalm  xlvi.  9,  10.  A.  1664. 

By  wars  in  the  Word  spiritual  wars  are  signified  which 
are  fightings  against  the  truth.  They  are  carried  on  by 
reasonings  from  falsities.  R.  500. 

The  subject  treated  of  is  the  cessation  of  all  combat  and 
all  strife  in  the  kingdom  of  the  Lord.  By  Salem  in  which 
is  the  tabernacle  of  Jehovah  is  signified  His  spiritual 
kingdom,  where  there  is  genuine  truth,  and  by  Zion  where 
His  dwelling  place  is,  the  celestial  kingdom  where  there 
is  genuine  good.  By  His  breaking  the  arrows  of  the  bow, 
the  shield,  the  sword,  and  the  battle  is  signified  the  dissi- 
pation of  all  combat  of  the  falsities  of  doctrine  against 
good  and  truth,  the  arrows  of  the  bow  standing  for  the 
principal  things  of  doctrine.  E.  357. 

Jerusalem  is  here  called  Salem  because  by  Salem  is 
signified  peace,  from  which  also  Jerusalem  is  named. 


276  PSALM  LXXVI. 

3  The  reason  of  its  being  so  named  is  because  peace  signifies 
all  things  belonging  to  heaven  and  the  church.  By  the 
tabernacle  of  God  is  signified  the  church  which  exists 
from  those  things,  by  His  dwelling  place  in  Zion  the  good 
of  love,  since  the  Lord  dwells  in  that  good  and  thence 
gives  truths  and  causes  them  to  multiply  and  be  fruitful. 

E.  365. 

4.     For  the  explanation  see  the  two  previous  statements 

under  E.  357  and  E.  365.  E.  734. 

6,  7.     See  Psalm  xlvi.  7,  8.  A.  3305. 

A  horse  signifies  the  understanding  of  the  Word. 

R.  298. 

The  chariot  and  the  horse  here  signify  the  doctrine  of 
the  church  and  the  same  understanding,  of  which  it  is 
predicated  that  men  fall  into  a  deep  sleep  when  they  are 
without  truths.  Hence  the  same  is  predicated  of  the 
member  of  the  church  who  is  without  spiritual  life  from 
those  truths.  E.  187. 

By  the  stout  hearted  are  signified  those  who  are  in 
truths  from  good.  By  their  having  slept  their  sleep  is 
signified  their  having  lapsed  from  evils  into  falsities.  By 
the  rebuke  of  the  God  of  Jacob  is  signified  the  inversion 
of  their  state  by  their  own  acts.  By  both  the  chariot  and 
the  horse  being  cast  into  a  deep  sleep  is  signified  that  their 
intellectual  faculty  was  laid  asleep  because  it  had  become 
merely  natural.  E.  355. 

There  is  no  longer  any  truth  in  the  Jewish  church. 

P.  P. 

7.  A  horse  signifies  the  understanding  of  truth,  and  in  the 
opposite  sense  reasonings  which  appear  as  if  they  were  the 
result  of  understanding,  in  confirmation  of  the  false. 

W.  H. 
He  who  is  not  in  truths  but  only  in  worship  is  like  him 
that  is  sleeping  and  dreaming.     Natural  life  viewed  in 
itself,  or  without  spiritual  life  is  nothing  but  a  sleep. 

R.  158. 


PSALM   LXXVII.  277 

See  Psalm  xiii.  4.  E.  1006. 

8-1 1,  13.     The  Lord  will  effect  a  judgment  in  which  the 

evil  will  perish  and  the  good  will  be  saved.  P.  P. 

12.     Let  the  Lord  be  worshipped.  P.  P. 


PSALM  LXXVII. 


For  the  Chief  Musician;  after  the  manner  of  Jeduthun.    "A  Psalm 
of  Asaph. 

1.  I  will  cry  unto  God  with  my  voice, 

Even  unto  God  with  my  voice;  and  he  will  give  ear 
unto  me. 

2.  In  the  day  of  my  trouble  I  sought  the  Lord: 

My  hand  was  stretched  out  in  the  night,  and  slacked 

not; 
My  soul  refused  to  be  comforted. 

3.  I  remember  God,  and  am  disquieted: 

I  complain,  and  my  spirit  is  overwhelmed.  [Selah 

4.  Thou  holdest  mine  eyes  watching: 

I  am  so  troubled  that  I  cannot  speak. 

5.  I  have  considered  the  days  of  old, 
The  years  of  ancient  times. 

6.  I  call  to  remembrance  my  song  in  the  night: 
I  commune  with  mine  own  heart; 

And  my  spirit  maketh  diligent  search. 

7.  Will  the  Lord  cast  off  for  ever? 
And  will  he  be  favorable  no  more  ? 

8.  Is  his  lovingkindness  clean  gone  for  ever? 
Doth  his  promise  fail  for  evermore  ? 

9.  Hath  God  forgotten  to  be  gracious  ? 

Hath  he  in  anger  shut  up  his  tender  mercies?    [Selah 

10.  And  I  said,  This  is  my  infirmity; 

But  I  will  remember  the  years  of  the  right  hand  of  the 
Most  High. 

11.  I  will  make  mention  of  the  deeds  of  Jehovah; 
For  I  will  remember  thy  wonders  of  old. 


278  PSALM   LXXVII. 

12.  I  will  meditate  also  upon  all  thy  work, 
And  muse  on  thy  doings. 

13.  Thy  way,  O  God,  is  in  the  sanctuary: 
Who  is  a  great  god  like  unto  God  ? 

14.  Thou  art  the  God  that  doest  wonders: 

Thou  hast  made  known  thy  strength  among  the  peoples 

15.  Thou  hast  with  thine  arm  redeemed  thy  people, 

The  sons  of  Jacob  and  Joseph.  [Selah 

16.  The  waters  saw  thee,  O  God; 

The  waters  saw  thee,  they  were  afraid: 
The  depths  also  trembled. 

17.  The  clouds  poured  out  water; 
The  skies  sent  out  a  sound: 
Thine  arrows  also  went  abroad. 

18.  The  voice  of  thy  thunder  was  in  the  whirlwind; 
The  lightnings  lightened  the  world: 

The  earth  trembled  and  shook. 

19.  Thy  way  was  in  the  sea, 

And  thy  paths  in  the  great  waters, 
And  thy  footsteps  were  not  known. 

20.  Thou  leddest  thy  people  like  a  flock, 
By  the  hand  of  Moses  and  Aaron. 

Psalm  LXXVII. 

1-10.  State  of  temptation  of  the  -Lord  even  to  despair, 
whether  the  Father  would  give  help.  P.  P. 

6.  Here  the  days  of  old  are  the  states  of  the  Most  Ancient 
church,  and  the  years  of  ancient  times  the  states  of  the 
Ancient  church.  A.  488. 

The  days  of  old  and  the  years  of  ancient  times  stand 
for  the  Most  Ancient  church  and  for  the  Ancient  church. 

A.  2906. 
The  days  of  an  age  denote  the  time  of  the  Most  Ancient 
church,  which  was  a  celestial  church.     The  years  of  gen- 
eration and  generation  stand  for  the  time  of  the  Ancient 
church,  which  was  a  spiritual  church.  A.  10248. 

11-16.     Strengthening    Himself    from    His    Divine    from 


PSALM   LXXVII.  279 

things  past,  that  those  who  had  prayed  for  it  had  been 
saved.  P.  P. 

14,  15.  That  there  is  one  God,  and  none  besides  Him  the 
Jews  and  Israelites  said  indeed  with  the  mouth,  but  did 
not  believe  with  the  heart.  This  is  why  it  is  said  in  the 
Word  that  Jehovah  is  greater  than  other  gods,  and  there 
is  none  like  Him.  A.  7401. 

16.  Here  by  the  sons  of  Jacob  and  Joseph  are  understood 
those  who  are  in  the  good  of  life  according  to  their  re- 
ligious principle,  for  by  Jacob  in  the  Word  is  understood 
the  external  church  which  is  with  those  who  are  in  the 
good  of  life.  By  Joseph  are  here  understood  Manasseh 
and  Ephraim  for  it  is  said,  "  Thou  hast  redeemed  the  sons 
of  Joseph"  by  whom  are  understood  those  who  are  in 
good  and  truth  as  to  the  external  man,  consequently  as  to 
life.  To  redeem  them  with  His  arm  means  to  save  them 
by  His  omnipotence,  for  such  were  saved  by  the  Lord  by 
His  coming  into  the  world,  and  could  not  have  been  saved 
otherwise.  E.  448. 

Thou  hast  with  thy  arm  redeemed  thy  people.  What 
here  follows  treats  about  the  judgment  upon  the  evil. 

D.  P.,  Page  87. 

16,  18,  19.  Lightnings  from  the  flame  which  affects  the 
eyes  signifies  enlightenment,  and  thunder  from  the  crash 
which  affects  the  ears  signifies  perception,  and  when  these 
signify  enlightenment  and  perception,  then  voices  signify 
instruction.  R.  236. 

The  subject  treated  of  in  this  Psalm  is  concerning  the 
establishment  of  the  church  anew.  By  the  clouds  pour- 
ing out  waters  are  signified  truths  from  the  literal  sense 
of  the  Word,  by  the  skies  or  superior  clouds  sending  a 
sound  truths  from  the  spiritual  sense  of  the  Word.  By 
the  arrows  which  went  abroad  are  understood  fulmina- 
tions,  from  which  there  appear  as  it  were  arrows  from  a 
bow.  They  are  present  when  there  are  thunders  and 
lightnings,  and  by  them  are  signified  Divine  truths.     By 


280  PSALM   LXXVII. 

the  voice  of  thunder  in  the  heaven  is  signified  Divine 
truth  as  to  perception  and  understanding  in  the  church, 
and  by  the  lightning  lightening  the  world  illumination 
thence.     The  world  signifies  the  church.  E.  273. 

17.  By  the  deep,  and  by  the  sea  and  the  depths  thereof 
are  here  signified  the  hells.  E.  538. 

17-19.  A  voice  here  is  truth  Divine  which  enlightens  those 
who  are  of  the  church.  A.  7573. 

17-20.     And  that  power  was  His  through  Divine  truth. 

P.  P. 

17,  18,  20.     See  Psalm  xxix.  3.  A.  2702. 

18.  Here  by  the  clouds  pouring  out  water  is  signified  that 
genuine  truths  are  derived  from  the  literal  sense  of  the 
Word.  By  the  skies  sending  out  a  sound  is  signified 
influx  from  the  heavens,  by  thine  arrows  also  went  abroad 
Divine  truths  thence  derived.  E.  594. 

18.  19.  The  voice  of  thunder  stands  for  truth  Divine, 
lightnings  for  its  flashing,  and  the  world  for  the  church, 
therefore  the  lightnings  lightening  the  world  mean  the 
enlightening  of  the  church  by  truth  Divine.  A.  8813. 

Often  in  the  Word  it  is  said  that  when  Jehovah  comes 
down  the  earth  trembles  and  the  mountains  melt,  whereby 
is  signified  the  commotion  of  all  at  the  presence  of  the 
Divine,  for  the  Divine  is  such  that  no  one  can  bear  it, 
unless  he  is  in  a  kind  of  cloud,  and  thus  is  accommodated 
to  its  reception,  for  it  is  like  the  fire  which  is  in  the  sun, 
which  if  it  were  to  fall  bare  upon  any  one  would  consume 
him  in  a  moment.  A.  8816. 

19.  See  Psalm  ix.  9.  R.  551. 
By  these  words  is  described  the  state  of  the  impious 

from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  in  His  Divine  truth,  which 
state  is  similar  to  that  of  the  sons  of  Israel  when  the  Lord 
appeared  to  them  upon  mount  Sinai.  That  they  were 
exceedingly  afraid  is  known  from  the  Word,  and  the 
reason  of  this  was  because  they  were  evil  in  heart.  E.  741. 

20.  See  Psalm  xxiv.  2.  R.  238. 


PSALM   LXXVIII.  28l 

That  by  the  sea  is  not  understood  the  sea,  nor  by  waters, 
waters  is  evident  since  it  is  said  that  therein  are  the  way 
and  the  path  of  Jehovah,  wherefore  by  the  sea  and  by 
waters  are  understood  such  things  as  Jehovah  or  the  Lord 
is  in,  which  are  the  knowledges  of  truth  in  general  from 
the  Word,  and  truths  therein,  the  sea  signifying  such 
knowledges,  and  the  waters  truths.  Knowledges  and 
truths  differ  in  this,  that  the  former  are  of  the  natural 
man,  and  the  latter  of  the  spiritual  man.  E.  275. 

And  that  the  church  was  preserved.  P.  P. 


PSALM  LXXVIII. 

Maschil  of  Asaph. 

1.  Give  ear,  O  my  people,  to  my  law: 
Incline  your  ears  to  the  words  of  my  mouth. 

2.  I  will  open  my  mouth  in  a  parable; 
I  will  utter  dark  sayings  of  old, 

3.  Which  we  have  heard  and  known, 
And  our  fathers  have  told  us. 

4.  We  will  not  hide  them  from  their  children, 

Telling   to   the   generation   to   come   the   praises   of 

Jehovah, 
And  his  strength,  and  his  wondrous  works  that  he  hath 

done. 

5.  For  he  established  a  testimony  in  Jacob, 
And  appointed  a  law  in  Israel, 

Which  he  commanded  our  fathers, 

That  they  should  make  them  known  to  their  children; 

6.  That  the  generation  to  come  might  know  them,  even 

the  children  that  should  be  born; 
Who  should  arise  and  tell  them  to  their  children, 

7.  That  they  might  set  their  hope  in  God, 
And  not  forget  the  works  of  God, 

But  keep  his  commandments, 


282  PSALM   LXXVIII. 

8.  And  might  not  be  as  their  fathers, 

A  stubborn  and  rebellious  generation, 

A  generation  that  set  not  their  heart  aright, 

And  whose  spirit  was  not  stedfast  with  God. 

9.  The  children  of  Ephraim,  being  armed  and  carrying 

bows, 
Turned  back  in  the  day  of  battle. 

10.  They  kept  not  the  covenant  of  God, 
And  refused  to  walk  in  his  law; 

11.  And  they  forgat  his  doings, 

And  his  wondrous  works  that  he  had  showed  them. 

12.  Marvellous  things  did  he  in  the  sight  of  their  fathers, 
In  the  land  of  Egypt,  in  the  field  of  Zoan. 

13.  He  clave  the  sea,  and  caused  them  to  pass  through; 
And  he  made  the  waters  to  stand  as  a  heap. 

14.  In  the  day-time  also  he  led  them  with  a  cloud, 
And  all  the  night  with  a  light  of  fire. 

15.  He  clave  rocks  in  the  wilderness, 

And  gave  them  drink  abundantly  as  out  of  the  depths. 

16.  He  brought  streams  also  out  of  the  rock, 
And  caused  waters  to  run  down  like  rivers. 

17.  Yet  went  they  on  still  to  sin  against  him, 

To  rebel  against  the  Most  High  in  the  desert. 

18.  And  they  tempted  God  in  their  heart 
By  asking  food  according  to  their  desire. 

19.  Yea,  they  spake  against  God; 

They  said,  Can  God  prepare  a  table  in  the  wilderness  ? 

20.  Behold,  he  smote  the  rock,  so  that  waters  gushed  out, 
And  streams  overflowed; 

Can  he  give  bread  also  ? 

Will  he  provide  flesh  for  his  people  ? 

21.  Therefore  Jehovah  heard,  and  wras  wroth; 
And  a  fire  was  kindled  against  Jacob, 
And  anger  also  went  up  against  Israel; 

22.  Because  they  believed  not  in  God, 
And  trusted  not  in  his  salvation. 

23.  Yet  he  commanded  the  skies  above, 
And  opened  the  doors  of  heaven; 

24.  And  he  rained  down  manna  upon  them  to  eat, 
And  gave  them  food  from  heaven. 


PSALM   LXXVIII.  283 

25.  Man  did  eat  the  bread  of  the  mighty: 
He  sent  them  food  to  the  full. 

26.  He  caused  the  east  wind  to  blow  in  the  heavens; 
And  by  his  power  he  guided  the  south  wind. 

27.  He  rained  flesh  also  upon  them  as  the  dust, 
And  winged  birds  as  the  sand  of  the  seas: 

28.  And  he  let  it  fall  in  the  midst  of  their  camp, 
Round  about  their  habitations. 

29.  So  they  did  eat,  and  were  well  filled; 
And  he  gave  them  their  own  desire. 

30.  They  were  not  estranged  from  that  which  they  desired, 
Their  food  was  yet  in  their  mouths, 

31.  \Mien  the  anger  of  God  went  up  against  them, 
And  slew  of  the  fattest  of  them, 

And  smote  down  the  young  men  of  Israel. 

32.  For  all  this  they  sinned  still, 

And  believed  not  in  his  wondrous  works. 

33.  Therefore  their  days  did  he  consume  in  vanity, 
And  their  years  in  terror. 

34.  When  he  slew  them,  then  they  inquired  after  him; 
And  they  returned  and  sought  God  earnestly. 

35.  And  they  remembered  that  God  was  their  rock, 
And  the  Most  High  God  their  redeemer. 

36.  But  they  flattered  him  with  their  mouth, 
And  lied  unto  him  with  their  tongue. 

37.  For  their  heart  was  not  right  with  him, 
Neither  were  they  faithful  in  his  covenant. 

38.  But  he,  being  merciful,  forgave  their  iniquity,  and  de- 

stroyed them  not: 
Yea,  many  a  time  turned  he  his  anger  away, 
And  did  not  stir  up  all  his  wrath. 

39.  And  he  remembered  that  they  were  but  flesh, 

A  wind  that  passeth  away,  and  cometh  not  again. 

40.  How  oft  did  they  rebel  against  him  in  the  wilderness, 
And  grieve  him  in  the  desert! 

41.  And  they  turned  again  and  tempted  God, 
And  provoked  the  Holy  One  of  Israel. 

42.  They  remembered  not  his  hand, 

Nor  the  day  when  he  redeemed  them  from  the  adver- 
sary; 


2  84  PSALM   LXXVIII. 

43.  How  he  set  his  signs  in  Egypt, 

And  his  wonders  in  the  field  of  Zoan, 

44.  And  turned  their  rivers  into  blood, 

And  their  streams,  so  that  they  could  not  drink. 

45.  He  sent  among  them  swarms  of  Hies,  which  devoured 

them; 
And  frogs,  which  destroyed  them. 

46.  He  gave  also  their  increase  unto  the  caterpillar, 
And  their  labor  unto  the  locust. 

47.  He  destroyed  their  vines  with  hail, 
And  their  sycomore-trees  with  frost. 

48.  He  gave  over  their  cattle  also  to  the  hail, 
And  their  flocks  to  hot  thunderbolts. 

49.  He  cast  upon  them  the  fierceness  of  his  anger, 
Wrath,  and  indignation,  and  trouble, 

A  band  of  angels  of  evil. 

50.  He  made  a  path  for  his  anger; 

He  spared  not  their  soul  from  death, 
But  gave  their  life  over  to  the  pestilence, 

51.  And  smote  all  the  first-born  in  Egypt, 

The  chief  of  their  strength  in  the  tents  of  Ham. 

52.  But  he  led  forth  his  own  people  like  sheep, 
And  guided  them  in  the  wilderness  like  a  flock. 

53.  And  he  led  them  safely,  so  that  they  feared  not; 
But  the  sea  overwhelmed  their  enemies. 

54.  And  he  brought  them  to  the  border  of  his  sanctuary, 
To  this  mountain,  which  his  right  hand  had  gotten. 

55.  He  drove  out  the  nations  also  before  them, 
And  allotted  them  for  an  inheritance  by  line, 

And  made  the  tribes  of  Israel  to  dwell  in  their  tents. 

56.  Yet  they  tempted  and  rebelled  against  the  Most  High 

God, 
And  kept  not  his  testimonies; 

57.  But  turned  back,  and  dealt  treacherously  like  their 

fathers : 
They  were  turned  aside  like  a  deceitful  bow. 

58.  For  they  provoked  him  to  anger  with  their  high  places, 
And  moved  him  to  jealousy  with  their  graven  images. 

59.  When  God  heard  this,  he  was  wroth, 
And  greatly  abhorred  Israel; 


PSALM   LXXVIII.  285 

60.  So  that  he  forsook  the  tabernacle  of  Shiloh, 
The  tent  which  he  placed  among  men; 

61.  And  delivered  his  strength  into  captivity, 
And  his  glory  into  the  adversary's  hand. 

62.  He  gave  his  people  over  also  unto  the  sword, 
And  was  wroth  with  his  inheritance. 

63.  Fire  devoured  their  young  men; 

And  their  virgins  had  no  marriage-song. 

64.  Their  priests  fell  by  the  sword; 

And  their  widows  made  no  lamentation. 

65.  Then  the  Lord  awaked  as  one  out  of  sleep, 

Like  a  mighty  man  that  shouteth  by  reason  of  wine. 

66.  And  he  smote  his  adversaries  backward: 
He  put  them  to  a  perpetual  reproach. 

67.  Moreover  he  refused  the  tent  of  Joseph, 
And  chose  not  the  tribe  of  Ephraim, 

68.  But  chose  the  tribe  of  Judah, 
The  mount  Zion  which  he  loved. 

69.  And  he  built  his  sanctuary  like  the  heights, 
Like  the  earth  which  he  hath  established  for  ever. 

70.  He  chose  David  also  his  servant, 
And  took  him  from  the  sheepfolds: 

71.  From  following  the  ewes  that  have  their  young  he 

brought  him, 
To  be  the  shepherd  of  Jacob  his  people,  and  Israel  his 
inheritance. 

72.  So  he  was  their  shepherd  according  to  the  integrity  of 

his  heart, 
And  guided  them  by  the  skilfulness  of  his  hands. 

Psalm  LXXVIII. 

1-7.  The  Word  was  given  to  the  children  of  Jacob,  and 
they  were  confirmed  in  it  by  means  of  miracles; "      P.  P. 

2-4,  The  mode  of  expression  of  the  Most  Ancient  Church 
was  such  that  when  they  mentioned  earthly  and  worldly 
things,  they  thought  of  the  spiritual  and  celestial  things 
which  they  represented.  They  therefore  expressed  them- 
selves not  only  by  representatives,  but  also  formed  these 


286  PSALM   LXXVIII. 

in  a  certain  historical  series.  This  is  the  style  of  which 
Hannah  prophesied  —  i.  Samuel  ii.  3  —  such  representa- 
tives are  called  in  David  "  Dark  sayings  of  old."  A.  66. 
5.     See  Psalm  xiv.  7.  A.  4281. 

The  second  essential  of  the  New  Church,  which  is 
conjunction  with  the  Lord  by  a  life  according  to  the  pre- 
cepts of  the  Decalogue,  is  a  testimony.  Here  the  deca- 
logue is  called  the  testimony.  R.  490. 

The  testimony  is  Divine  truth,  and  in  particular  it  is 
these  two  things  —  that  the  Lord  is  God  of  heaven  and 
earth,  and  that  the  precepts  of  the  Decalogue  are  precepts 
of  life,  on  which  account  the  Decalogue  is  also  called  the 
testimony.  R.  555. 

Here  by  Jacob  and  Israel  is  signified  the  church,  by 
Jacob  the  internal  church.  By  the  law  and  testimony  is 
signified  the  Word.  By  the  testimony  is  signified  that 
in  the  Word  which  teaches  the  good  of  life,  and  by  the 
law  that  which  teaches  the  truth  of  doctrine.  E.  392. 
5,  6.     See  Psalm  xix.  8.  A.  4197. 

8.  A  heart  not  right  stands  for  a  will  not  right.  A  spirit 
not  constant  with  God  stands  for  the  understanding  and 
faith  of  Divine  truth  not  constant.  A.  9818. 

See  Psalm  xxxii.  2.  L.  48. 

Spirit  here  signifies  such  things  as  are  of  a  perverted 
and  wicked  mind.  T.  156. 

Heart  in  the  opposite  sense  signifies  evil,  and  spirit 

what  is  false.  E.  183. 

8-10.     But  their  fathers  and  the  children  had  gone  back, 

and  had  not  lived  according  to  it.  P.  P. 

9.  That  the  spiritual  man  was  in  old  times  called  a  shooter 
and  an  archer,  and  that  doctrine  was  called  a  bow  and  a 
quiver,  and  that  the  truths  of  doctrine,  or  rather  doctrinal 
tenets,  were  called  darts,  javelins,  and  arrows  is  further 
evident  in  David.  Ephraim  stands  for  the  intellectual 
of  the  church.  A.  2709. 

By  Ephraim  is  meant  the  intellectual  of  the  church. 


PSALM  LXXVIII.  287 

Hence  also  the  sons  of  Ephraim  are  called  shooters  with 
the  bow.  A.  5354. 

See  Psalm  lx.  9,  add:  and  the  sons  of  Ephraim  are 
called  "armed"  and  "shooters"  with  the  bow.  By  the 
bow  is  signified  doctrine  from  the  Word  righting  against 
falsities.  S.  79. 

The  foregoing  statement  repeated  in  T.  247. 

By  Ephraim  is  signified  the  understanding  of  truth,  and 
by  his  children  the  truths  themselves,  wherefore  they  are 
also  said  to  be  armed,  and  carrying  bows,  that  is  com- 
bating against  evils  and  falsities.  That  in  this  case  they 
did  not  resist  those  evils  and  falsities,  because  they  were 
not  conjoined  to  the  Lord  is  signified  by  their  turning 
back  in  the  day  of  battle,  and  their  not  keeping  the  cov- 
enant of  God.  E.  357. 

The  day  of  battle.  D.  P.,  Page  72. 

10.  The  covenant  of  God  is  called  the  law  of  God.  By 
the  law  is  meant  in  an  extended  sense  the  whole  Word, 
in  a  less  extended  sense  the  historical  Word,  in  a  limited 
sense  the  Word  written  by  Moses.  A.  9396. 

11-13.  The  miracles  in  the  desert  even  having  no  effect, 
all  of  which  involved  how  the  Lord  teaches  and  leads 
those  whom  He  calls  to  His  church.  All  these  things 
recited.  P.  P. 

14.  The  reason  why  there  was  a  cloud  upon  the  tabernacle 
by  day,  and  a  fire  by  night,  was  because  the  tabernacle 
represented  heaven  and  the  church,  the  cloud  the  pres- 
ence of  the  Lord  by  Divine  truth,  and  the  fire  His  presence 
by  Divine  good,  which  is  called  the  good  of  faith,  each 
ultimate  in  order,  whence  they  were  as  coverings  for  the 
tabernacle.  E.  594. 

15.  See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  E.  538. 
15,  16.     The  rock  stands  for  the  Lord,  waters,  rivers,  and 

depths  from  it,  for  truths  from  Him.  A.  2702. 

Deeps  stand  for  waters  in  store,  and  waters  in  store  or 

deeps  for  the  truths  of  faith  in  abundance.     To  make 


288  PSALM   LXXVIII. 

them  to  drink  great  deeps  out  of  the  rock  means  the 
truths  of  faith  without  scarcity,  for  the  rock  is  faith  from 
the  Lord,  thus  the  Lord  as  to  faith.  A.  8278. 

15,  16,  20.     Rivers  signify  truths  in  abundance.      R.  409. 
Divine  truth  from  the  Lord,  from  the  reception  of 
which  intelligence  flows  is  signified  by  the  waters  from 
the  rock  in  Horeb,  concerning  which  it  is  thus  written  in 
David.  E.  518. 

15,  16,  20,  35.  The  rock  signifies  the  Lord  as  to  Divine 
truth,  or  what  is  the  same  thing,  Divine  truth  from  the 
Lord.  This  is  evident  from  the  subjects  here  treated  of, 
which  are  the  redemption  and  the  regeneration  of  the 
men  of  the  church,  which  are  effected  by  Divine  truth 
from  the  Lord.  E.  411. 

16,  20,  35.  By  rock  throughout  the  Word  the  Divine  truth 
is  understood.  Inv.  35. 

16.     Waters  signify  the  truths  of  faith.  E.  71. 

18.  Soul  stands  for  the  life  of  the  spirit  of  man,  which  is 
called  his  spiritual  life.  E.  750. 

23.  Opening  the  doors  of  the  heavens  stands  for  giving 
communication  with  the  truths  and  goods  wThich  are 
from  the  Lord  in  the  heavens.  A.  8989. 

23,  24.  It  is  called  the  bread  of  heaven  —  See  Psalm  cv. 
40  —  because  it  rained  down  from  heaven  with  the  dew, 
but  in  the  spiritual  sense  it  is  called  the  bread  of  heaven 
because  it  flows  down  from  the  Lord  through  the  angelic 
heaven.  In  this  sense  no  other  heaven  is  understood  and 
no  other  bread,  than  what  nourishes  the  soul  of  man. 

E.  146. 
See  Psalm  xxxvi.  6.  E.  541. 

24.  Manna  in  the  spiritual  sense  is  the  good  of  truth,  that 
is  the  good  of  the  spiritual  church.  Therefore  it  is  also 
called  the  corn  of  heaven.  A.  8464. 

24,  25.     By  provision  —  meat  —  is  also  signified  support 

from  truth  and  good.  .     A.  5490. 

26,  27.     By  the  east  wind  is  signified  what  is  of  lusts  and 


PSALM  LXXVIII.  289 

their  fantasies.     By  the  flesh  which  that  wind  brought  are 
signified  lusts,  and  by  the  winged  fowl  their  fantasies. 

A.  5215. 

31.     See  Psalm  xvii.  8.  R.  782. 

32-37.     On  account  of  the  miracles  they  returned,  indeed, 

but  only  with  the  mouth,  not  with  the  heart.  P.  P. 

35.     It  may  be  seen  that  the  Divine  of  the  Lord,  which  is 

called  the  Father,  and  Jehovah,  and  God;  and  the  Divine 

Human,  which  is  here  called  Redeemer  are  not  two  but 

one.  L.  34. 

The  Lord  is  called  the  God  of  Israel,  Redeemer,  and 

Saviour.  L.  39. 

That  the  Lord  is  called  Lord  and  God  is  manifest. 

L.  41. 
They  did  not  remember  that  God  was  their  rock,  and 
the  high  God  their  Redeemer.  D.  P.,  Page  87. 

35,  42.  That  the  Lord  is  called  a  rock  appears  from  these 
passages.  Coro.  2. 

37.     See  Psalm  1.  5,  16.  E.  701. 

Where  mention  is  made  of  propitiation  or  expiation  it 
is  manifest  that  cleansing  from  evils,  thus  the  remission 
of  sins  is  signified.  A.  9506. 

38-40.     The  Lord  forgave  them.  P.  P. 

39.  This  is  said  of  the  people  desiring  flesh  in  the  wilder- 
ness, that  they  were  corporeal.  That  they  desired  flesh 
represented  that  they  lusted  only  for  things  of  the  body. 

A.  574- 
Since  by  flesh  when  predicated  of  man  is  signified  the 
proprium,  which  is  the  evil  of  the  love  of  self  and  the 
world,  it  is  evident  what  is  signified  by  flesh  when  pred- 
icated of  the  Lord,  namely,  His  proprium,  which  is  the 
Divine  good  of  the  Divine  love.  A.  10283. 

By  spirit  is  meant  the  life  of  man,  a  spirit  —  wind  — 
that  passeth  away.  L.  47. 

By  flesh  are  signified  the  things  proper  to  any  one 
which  have  relation  to  goods  and  truths,  and  in  the  op- 
posite sense  to  evils  and  falsities.  R.  748. 


290  PSALM   LXXVIII. 

The  evil  of  man's  will,  which  is  his  proprium  from  birth 
is  here  signified  by  flesh,  just  as  in  Numbers  xi.  4-33. 

E.  1082. 

41.  See  Psalm  xlvi.  7,  8.  A.  3305. 
See  Psalm  lxxi.  22.  A.  9229. 
See  Psalm  lxxi.  22.                                             A.  9680. 

The  Lord  is  called  the  Holy  One  of  Israel.  L.  40. 

The  Lord  alone  is  Holy  because  He  is  the  Divine  truth 
itself.  R.  173. 

The  Lord  as  to  the  Human  is  called  the  Holy  One  of 
Israel.  T.  93. 

They  tempted  God  and  aggrieved  the  Holy  One  of 
Israel.  D.  P.,  Page  63. 

41-51.  Again  they  were  seemingly  converted  when  they 
recalled  the  miracles  in  Egypt,  all  of  which  involve  the 
removal  and  dispersion  from  them  of  the  hells.  A  recital 
of  these  things.  P.  P. 

42,  43.  That  signs  were  testifications  of  the  truth  is  mani- 
fest. See  also  John  vi.  30-33:  Isaiah  vii.  11,  14;  xxxviii. 
22,  etc.  R.  598. 

It  is  evident  that  the  miracles  performed  in  Egypt,  and 
afterwards  with  the  sons  of  Israel  are  called  signs  and 
miracles,  signs  because  they  testified  and  persuaded,  and 
miracles  because  they  excited  and  induced  astonishment. 

E.  706. 
45.  The  fly  stands  for  the  falsities  in  the  extremes  of  the 
natural  mind,  thus  in  the  sensual,  nearest  the  body.  These 
falsities  are  compared  to  such  an  insect  because  things 
in  that  part  of  the  mind  are  like  insects  flying  in  the  air, 
obscuring  interior  things,  and  also  bringing  harm  to 
them,  for  they  are  mostly  imaginary  and  are  fallacies, 
the  reasonings  from  which  are  like  things  built  upon  air. 
Swarms  of  flies  of  this  kind  are  here  meant.  A.  7441. 

By  frogs  are  signified  ratiocinations  from  lusts,  because 
they  croak  and  are  lascivious.  R.  702. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  5.  E.  518. 


PSALM  LXXVIII.  291 

45,  46.  These  things  are  said  of  Egypt,  and  the  caterpillar 
is  mentioned,  though  there  is  no  mention  made  of  it  in 
Moses,  but  only  the  locust.  That  the  caterpillar  also  is 
mentioned,  is  because  by  it  is  signified  evil,  and  by  the 
locust  falsity,  each  in  the  outmosts  of  the  natural. 

A.  7643. 
Since  by  locusts  is  signified  the  sensual  as  to  falsity  and 
evil,  or  what  is  the  same  thing,  the  falsity  and  evil  of  the 
sensual  man,  therefore  the  same  is  signified  by  the  cater- 
pillar. E.  543. 

46.  Falsities  in  the  outermost  things,  because  they  con- 
sume the  truths  and  goods  of  the  church  springing  up  in 
man,  are  signified  by  the  locusts  which  consume  the  grass 
in  the  plains  and  the  herbs  in  the  fields.  R.  424. 

47-49.  Hail  and  rain  stand  for  the  vastation  of  truth  and 
good  by  falsities  from  evil,  the  vine  for  the  truth  and  good 
of  the  internal  church,  the  sycamore  and  fig-tree  for  the 
truths  and  goods  of  the  external  church.  A.  7553. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  12-15.  A.  7575. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  13-15.  R.  399. 

By  green  or  growing  green  is  signified  living  or  alive. 
The  same  that  is  described  in  Revelation  viii.  came  to 
pass  in- Egypt,  namely,  that*  from  hail  and  fire  mingled 
every  tree  and  every  herb  of  the  field  was  burnt  up. 

R.  401. 

Since  hail  means  falsity  destroying  the  truths  of  the 
church,  it  is  therefore  said,  "  he  destroyed  their  vines  with 
hail,  and  their  sycamore  trees  with  frost."  By  vine  is 
signified  the  spiritual  truth  of  the  church,  and  by  syca- 
more its  natural  truth.  By  hot  thunderbolts  or  fire  is 
signified  the  love  of  evil  and  its  ardor  for  destroying  the 
goods  of  the  church.  It  is  therefore  said,  "he  gave  up 
their  cattle  also  to  the  hail,  and  their  flocks  to  hot  thunder- 
bolts." Cattle  and  flocks  signify  the  evil  affections  or 
lusts  arising  from  evil  love,  and  hot  thunderbolts  or  fire 
the  lust  and  ardor  of  destroying.  By  sending  evil  angels 
among  them  is  signified  the  falsity  of  evil  from  hell. 

E.  503. 


292  PSALM   LXXVIII. 

49.  All  these  things  are  predicated  of  Jehovah  although 
entirely  contrary  to  His  nature.  They  are  predicated  of 
Him  for  the  reason  explained  before,  and  also  in  order 
that  men  may  first  lay  hold  of  the  very  general  idea  that 
the  Lord  governs  and  disposes  each  and  every  event;  and 
afterward  learn  that  nothing  of  evil  is  from  the  Lord, 
much  less  does  He  kill,  but  that  it  is  man  who  brings  evil 
upon  himself  and  ruins  and  destroys  himself  —  although 
it  is  not  man,  but  evil  spirits  who  excite  and  lead  him. 

A.  592. 
By  anger,  wrath,  fury,  fire  are  meant  punishments  and 
condemnations,  into  which  man  casts  himself  when  into 
evils,  for  it  is  of  the  Divine  order  that  goods  carry  with 
them  recompenses,  and  hence  it  is  that  evils  carry  with 
them  punishments,  because  they  are  conjoined.    A.  6997. 

49.  50.  Not  that  Jehovah  ever  puts  anger  against  any  one, 
but  they  against  their  own  selves,  nor  does  He  as  is  said 
send  evil  angels,  but  man  draws  them.  A.  357. 

Heat,  anger,  indignation,  fury  here  stand  for  a  turning 
away,  opposition,  and  consequent  punishment.     A.  5798. 

In  many  places  in  the  Word  anger  and  fury  are  men- 
tioned together,  and  anger  there  is  predicted  of  evil  and  U- 
fury  of  falsity.  R.  635. 

50.  Speaking  of  the  Egyptians,  the  pestilence  stands  for 
every  kind  of  evil  and  its  damnation.  A.  7102. 

51.  By  the  firstborn  in  Egypt  was  represented  faith  with- 
out charity.     The  tents  of  Ham  are  the  worship  therefrom. 

A.  1063. 
In  the  opposite  sense  tents  signify  worship  not  holy. 

A.  1566. 
The  worship  of  the  Egyptians  from  principles  of  what 
is  false,  arising  from  truth  separate  from  good,  or  what  is 
the  same,  from  faith  separate  from  charity,  is  called  the 
tents  of  Ham.  A.  3325. 

By  the  firstborn  is  signified  in  the  genuine  sense  the 
good  of  charity,  but  in  the  sense  of  appearance  the  truth 


PSALM   LXXVIII.  293 

of  faith.  Because  those  two  are  the  foundations  of  the 
church,  therefore  by  the  ancients  the  firstborn  was  called 
the  might  of  the  father  and  the  beginning  of  his  strength. 

A.  6344. 

Since  by  tents  are  signified  the  goods  of  the  church  and 

of  worship,  therefore  by  tents  in  the  opposite  sense  are 

signified  the  evils  of  worship  and  of  the  church.    A.  10545. 

52-55.     The  Lord  thus  led  them  unto  the  land  which  was 

the  seat  of  the  church.  P.  P. 

55.     See  Psalm  xvi.  6.  A.  9854. 

56-58.     Yet  they  backslid  and  worshipped  another  God. 

P.  P. 
57.  By  father  in  the  genuine  sense  is  signified  good,  and 
in  the  supreme  sense  it  signifies  the  Lord.  But  since  most 
expressions  in  the  Word  have  an  opposite  sense,  so  also 
has  father  and  in  this  sense  it  signifies  evil.  So  also 
mother  which  in  the  genuine  sense  signifies  truth,  in  the 
opposite  sense  falsity.  A.  3703. 

To  deal  treacherously  is  a  customary  form  of  speaking 
in  the  Word,  signifying  in  the  internal  sense  to  act  con- 
trary to  the  truth  and  good  in  heaven,  or  what  is  the  same, 
contrary  to  Divine  order.  A.  8999. 

They  are  compared  to  a  deceitful  bow,  because  by  a 
bow  is  signified  doctrine  combating  in  both  senses,  that 
is  the  doctrine  of  false  combating  against  truth,  and  of 
truth  against  false,  for  arrows  or  darts  signify  falses  or 
truths  by  which  combat  is  maintained.  E.  866. 

59-64.     Therefore  they  were  forsaken  by  the  Lord,  and 
delivered  over  to  their  falsities  and  evils,  this  of  themselves. 

P.  P. 

60.     Tent  here  signifies  the  same  as  the  temple  in  which 

God  is  said  to  dwell  when  He  is  present  with  man  in  love. 

Hence  man  when  he  lived  in  holy  worship  was  called  by 

the  ancients  a  tent,  and  afterwards  a  temple.       A.  1102. 

See  Psalm  xv.  1,  2.  R.  585. 

By  tabernacle  is  signified  the  church  as  to  good,  or  the 

good  of  the  church.  E.  799. 


294  PSALM   LXXVIII. 

60,  61.     See  Psalm  lxviii.  19.  R.  591. 

By  the  habitation  of  Shiloh  is  signified  the  church 
which  is  in  the  good  of  love,  and  by  the  tent  the  church 
which  is  in  the  truths  of  doctrine.  /Hence  it  is  evident 
what  is  signified  by  God  forsaking  the  habitation  of  Shiloh, 
the  tent  which  He  placed  among  men,  namely,  that  the 
goods  of  love  and  the  truths  of  doctrine  were  destroyed. 
By  the  strength  which  He  delivered  into  captivity  is  sig- 
nified spiritual  truth  derived  from  celestial  good,  by  cap- 
tivity seclusion  from  the  understanding  thereof,  and  so 
destruction  by  falses.  By  the  gracefulness  which  He  de- 
livered in  the  hand  of  the  enemy  is  signified  natural  truth 
from  spiritual,  and  the  destruction  thereof.  E.  811. 

62-64.  Young  men  signify  truths  and  virgins  the  affections 
for  them.  R.  620. 

Treating  of  the  devastation  of  the  church  by  falses  and 
evils.  God  has  given  up  His  people  to  the  sword,  and 
wTas  inflamed  with  His  inheritance,  signifies  that  the 
church  perishes  by  falses  and  evils,  the  sword  denoting 
the  destruction  of  truth  by  falses,  and  God's  being  in- 
flamed destruction  by  evils.  The  people  in  this  case 
those  who  are  in  falses  and  evils.  The  fire  has  devoured 
His  young  men  signifies  that  the  love  of  self,  and  the  con- 
ceit of  self-derived  intelligence  therein  originating  has 
destroyed  the  understanding  of  truth.  Virgins  not  given 
in  marriage  signifies  that  the  affection  for  truth  perished 
through  its  not  being  understood.  His  priests  fallen  by 
the  sword  signifies  that  the  goods  of  the  church,  which 
are  the  goods  of  works,  of  charity,  and  of  life  were  de- 
stroyed by  falses.  E.  863. 

65-67.     Thus  they  were  rejected.  P.  P. 

67.  See  Psalm  lxxviii.  60.  E.  799. 

68.  See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  R.  612. 
Mount  Zion  signifies  the  Divine  good  and  the  church 

as  to  that  good.  E.  405. 

See  Psalm  xlviii.  3,  4.  E.  850. 


PSALM   LXXIX.  295 

68,  69.  Judah  In  the  internal  sense  signifies  the  Lord's 
celestial  church,  and  in  the  universal  sense  the  Lord 
Himself.  A.  3881. 

68-72.  Therefore  a  new  church  was  instituted  which 
would  worship  the  Lord,  and  which  the  Lord  could  lead, 

P.  P 

70-72.     The  Lord  is  meant  by  David  in  these  places. 

R-3 

See  Psalm  xxiii.  1,  2.  R.  383 

The  Lord  as  to  Divine  truth  is  understood  by  David 
in  the  Word.  E.  409 

To  feed  stands  for  to  instruct  in  truths.  E.  482 


PSALM  LXXIX. 

A  Psalm  of  Asaph. 

1.  O  God,  the  nations  are  come  into  thine  inheritance; 
Thy  holy  temple  have  they  defiled; 

They  have  laid  Jerusalem  in  heaps. 

2.  The  dead  bodies  of  thy  servants  have  they  given  to  be 

food  unto  the  birds  of  the  heavens. 
The  flesh  of  thy  saints  unto  the  beasts  of  the  earth. 

3.  Their  blood  have  they  shed  like  water  round  about 

Jerusalem ; 
And  there  was  none  to  bury  them. 

4.  We  are  become  a  reproach  to  our  neighbors, 

A  scoffing  and  derision  to  them  that  are  round  about 
us. 

5.  How  long,  O  Jehovah?  wilt  thou  be  angry  for  ever? 
Shall  thy  jealousy  burn  like  fire  ? 

6.  Pour  out  thy  wrath  upon  the  nations  that  know  thee 

not, 
And  upon  the  kingdoms  that  call  not  upon  thy  name. 

7.  For  they  have  devoured  Jacob, 
And  laid  waste  his  habitation. 

8      Remember  not  against  us  the  iniquities  of  our  fore- 
fathers: 


296  PSALM   LXXIX. 

Let  thy  tender  mercies  speedily  meet  us; 
For  we  are  brought  very  low. 
9.  '  Help  us,  O  God  of  our  salvation,  for  the  glory  of  thy 

name ; 
And  deliver  us,  and  forgive  our  sins,  for  thy  name's 

sake. 

10.  Wherefore  should  the  nations  say,  Where  is  their  God? 
Let  the  avenging  of  the  blood  of  thy  servants  which  is 

shed 
Be  known  among  the  nations  in  our  sight. 

11.  Let  the  sighing  of  the  prisoner  come  before  thee: 
According  to  the  greatness  of  thy  power  preserve  thou 

those  that  are  appointed  to  death; 

12.  And  render  unto  our  neighbors  sevenfold  into  their 

bosom 
Their  reproach,  wherewith  they  have  reproached  thee, 
O  Lord. 

13.  So  we  thy  people  and  sheep  of  thy  pasture 
Will  give  thee  thanks  for  ever: 

We  will  show  forth  thy  praise  to  all  generations. 

Psalm  LXXIX. 

I,  2.  Birds  signify  such  things  as  are  of  the  understanding 
and  thought,  and  thence  of  design,  in  both  senses,  as  well 
the  bad  as  the  good.  -  R.  757. 

By  the  heathen  or  nations  here  mentioned  are  under- 
stood evils  of  life  and  falsities  of  doctrine,  for  by  the  in- 
heritance of  God  is  understood  the  church,  in  which  the 
Lord  is  all  good  and  all  truth,  since  both  are  all  from 
Him.  Polluting  the  holy  temple  and  laying  Jerusalem 
on  heaps  signifies  to  profane  worship  and  pervert  the 
doctrine  of  the  church.  The  holy  temple  signifies  wor- 
ship because  worship  is  therein  performed,  and  Jerusalem 
the  church  as  to  doctrine,  thus  the  doctrine  of  the  church. 
By  verse  2  is  signified  to  destroy  all  truths  by  falsities  and 
goods  by  evil,  the  fowls  of  the  heaven  here  standing  for  the 
thoughts  of  what  is  false,  and  the  beasts  of  the  earth  for 
the  affections  for  evil  thence  derived.  E.  388. 


PSALM  LXXIX.  297 

Birds  in  the  opposite  sense  signify  fallacies  arising 
from  the  sensual  man,  also  reasonings  from  falses  against 
truths,  and  also  falses  themselves.  In  many  passages  in 
the  Word  mention  is  made  of  being  given  for  food  to  the 
birds  and  wild  beasts.  Thereby  is  signified  to  perish 
entirely  by  fallacies,  falses,  and  reasonings  thence  de- 
rived, also  by  evil  lusts  and  in  general  by  falses  and  evils 
from  hell.  E.  1100. 

1-4.     Falsifications  of  the  Word  and  direful  evils  have  de- 
stroyed the  church.  P.  P. 
2.     Many  a  time  it  is  said  in  the  prophets  that  carcasses 
should  be  given  for  meat  to  the  fowl  of  the  air  and  the 
beast  of  the  field  —  Jeremiah  vii.  33 ;  xix.  7 :  Ezekiel  xxix. 
5,  etc.     By  this  was  signified  that  they  should  be  destroyed 
by  falsities,  which  are  the  fowls  of  the  air,  and  by  evils  or 
lusts,  which  are  the  beasts  of  the  earth.                   A.  988. 
By  wild  beasts  and  birds  are  signified  falses  arising 
from  the  lust  of  evil  and  from  reasoning.               E.  650. 
5.     By  blowing  with  the  nostrils  or  breathing  is  signified 
to  be  angry.                                                              A.  8286. 
5,  6.     See  Psalm  xxxvii.  1.                                       A.  8875. 
Zeal  with  the  Lord  is  not  wrath,  it  only  appears  in  ex- 
ternals as  if  it  were,  interiorly  it  is  love.                 R.  216. 
5-12.     The  cry  of  the  church  for  help,  that  she  be  not  de- 
stroyed at  the  same  time*,  and  her  prayer  that  those  who 
have  ruined  the  church  be  removed.                            P.  P. 
'  8.     See  Psalm  viii.  5.                                              A.  9849. 
9.     See  Psalm  xlix.  8.                                               A.  9506. 
11.     See  Psalm  x.  15.                                                 A.  4933. 
The  prisoners  stand  for  those  who  are  in  vastations 
and  temptations.                                                      A.  5037. 
See  Psalm  lxviii.  7.                                                R.  99. 
See  Psalm  lxviii.  19.                                            R.  591. 
Many  who  were  interiorly  good  were  guarded  by  the 
Lord,  lest  they  should  be  infested  by  the  dragon  and  his 
beasts  —  Revelation  xxi.      The  same  are  also  meant  by 


298  PSALM   LXXIX. 

the  captives  and  those  bound  in  the  pit,  and  liberated  by 

the  Lord.  R.  884. 

See  Psalm  lxviii.  19.  E.  811. 

12.  The  severities  and  increase  of  punishments  were  ex- 
pressed by  seven.  A.  395. 

See  Psalm  xxxv.  13,  add:  to  render  into  their  bosom 

meaning  to  themselves.  A.  6960. 

Seven-fold  here  stands  for  to  the  full.  A.  9228. 

Seven-fold  means  fully.  R.  10. 

Seven  times  here  signifies  fully.  E.  257. 

13.  See  Psalm  lxix.  31.  A.  3880. 
Thus  there  will  be  worship  of  the  Lord.  P.  P. 


PSALM  LXXX. 


For  the  Chief  Musician;  set  to  Shoshannim  Eduth.     A  Psalm  of 
Asaph. 

i.     Give  ear,  O  Shepherd  of  Israel, 

Thou  that  leadest  Joseph  like  a  flock; 

Thou  that  sittest  above  the  cherubim,  shine  forth. 

2.  Before  Ephraim  and  Benjamin  and  Manasseh,  stir  up 

thy  might, 
And  come  to  save  us. 

3.  Turn  us  again,  O  God; 

And  cause  thy  face  to  shine,  and  we  shall  be  saved. 

4.  O  Jehovah  God  of  hosts, 

How  long  wilt  thou  be  angry  against  the  prayer  of  thy 
people  ? 

5.  Thou  hast  fed  them  with  the  bread  of  tears, 
And  given  them  tears  to  drink  in  large  measure. 

6.  Thou  makest  us  a  strife  unto  our  neighbors; 
And  our  enemies  laugh  among  themselves. 

7.  Turn  us  again,  O  God  of  hosts; 

And  cause  thy  face  to  shine,  and  we  shall  be  saved. 

8.  Thou  broughtest  a  vine  out  of  Egypt: 

Thou  didst  drive  out  the  nations,  and  plantedst  it. 


PSALM  LXXX,  299 

9.     Thou  preparedst  room  before  it, 

And  it  took  deep  root,  and  filled  the  land. 

10.     The  mountains  were  covered  with  the  shadow  of  it, 
And  the  boughs  thereof  were  like  cedars  of  God. 

n.     It  sent  out  its  branches  unto  the  sea, 
And  its  shoots  unto  the  River. 

12.  Why  hast  thou  broken  down  its  walls, 

So  that  all  they  that  pass  by  the  way  do  pluck  it  ? 

13.  The  boar  out  of  the  wood  doth  ravage  it, 
And  the  wild  beasts  of  the  field  feed  on  it. 

14.  Turn  again,  we  beseech  thee,  O  God  of  hosts: 

Look  down  from  heaven,  and  behold,  and  visit  this 
vine, 

15.  And  the  stock  which  thy  right  hand  planted, 

And  the  branch  that  thou  madest  strong  for  thyself. 

16.  It  is  burned  with  fire,  it  is  cut  down: 

They  perish  at  the  rebuke  of  thy  countenance. 

17.  Let  thy  hand  be  upon  the  man  of  thy  right  hand, 
Upon  the  son  of  man  whom  thou  madest  strong  for 

thyself. 

18.  So  shall  we  not  go  back  from  thee: 

Quicken  thou  us,  and  we  will  call  upon  thy  name. 

19.  Turn  us  again,  O  Jehovah  God  of  hosts; 
Cause  thy  face  to  shine,  and  we  shall  be  saved. 

Psalm  LXXX. 

1-4,  8.  Prayer  of  the  new  church  to  the  Lord  to  come  and 
lead,  P.  P. 

2.  That  the  shepherd  of  the  flock  is  one  who  does  the  good 
of  charity  every  one  may  know,  for  it  is  a  familiar  figure 
of  both  the  Old  Testament  and  the  New.  He  who  leads 
and  teaches  is  called  a  shepherd,  and  they  that  are  led 
and  taught  are  called  the  flock.  A.  343. 

Dwelling  within  the  cherubim  is  the  Lord  as  to  a  state 
of  providence,  lest  any  one  should  enter  into  the  holy 
things  of  love  and  faith  unless  prepared  by  the  Lord. 

A.  3384. 


3<DO  PSALM   LXXX. 

2       See  Psalm  xviii.  n.  A.  9509. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  10,  11.  Add:  By  cherubs  is  signified 
the  ultimate  of  Divine  truth  as  a  guard.  S.  97. 

By  the  cherubs  the  Divine  truth  in  the  ultimates  as  a 
guard  is  signified.  R.  239. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  10,  11.  T.  260. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  10,  11.  Add:  Since  the  subject  treated 
of  in  this  chapter  is  the  arrangement  of  all  things  for 
judgment,  therefore  also  the  cherubim  is  treated  of,  that 
is  the  guard  and  providence  of  the  Lord  that  the  superior 
heavens  may  not  be  approached  unless  by  the  good  of 
love  and  of  charity,  for  unless  this  had  been  done  before 
the  judgment,  the  very  heavens  themselves,  where  the 
true  angels  were,  would  have  been  endangered.      E.  277. 

See  Psalm  xxiii.  6.  E.  662. 

2,  3.     Here  also  Joseph  is  the  spiritual  man.     Ephraim, 

Benjamin,  and  Manasseh,  are  the  three  constituents  of 

that  church.  A.  3969. 

Benjamin  signifies  in  the  original  language  the  son  of 
the  right  hand.  By  this  is  signified  spiritual  truth  which 
is  from  celestial  good,  and  the  power  therefrom.  Here 
also  Benjamin  is  the  spiritual  of  the  celestial.       A.  4592. 

See  Psalm  lx.  8,  9.  A.  5354. 

From  the  spiritual  sense  of  the  words  it  is  evident  that 
they  contain  a  supplication  to  the  Lord  to  instruct  those 
who  are  of  the  church,  and  to  lead  them  by  truths  to  good, 
thus  to  heaven.  The  Lord  is  called  the  shepherd  of 
Israel  because  He  instructs  and  leads.  By  Joseph  are 
understood  those  of  the  church  who  are  in  truths  derived 
from  good.  Thou  that  dwellest  between  the  cherubim, 
signifies  the  Lord  above  the  heavens,  whence  He  sends 
forth  the  light  which  enlightens  the  minds  of  angels  and 
men,  hence  it  is  added,  "shine  forth."  That  the  light 
of  truth  may  penetrate  even  to  those  who  are  in  natural 
truths  and  good,  thus  to  the  ultimates  or  lowest  in  the 
church  is  signified  by,  "before  Ephraim  and  Benjamin 


PSALM   LXXX.  301 

and  Manasseh  stir  up  thy  strength.''  By  Ephraim  are 
understood  those  who  are  in  natural  truth,  such  as  the 
truth  of  the  Word  in  the  literal  sense.  By  Manasseh 
those  who  are  in  natural  good,  which  is  the  delight  of 
doing  good  and  learning  truth,  by  Benjamin  the  con- 
necting principle  of  good  and  truth,  or  the  conjoining 
medium  in  the  natural.  By  stirring  up  strength  is  under- 
stood to  penetrate  with  light  even  to  the  natural.  That 
they  should  be  saved  is  signified  by,  "come  and  save  us." 

E.  440. 
By  Joseph  is  signified  the  spiritual  church,  which  exists 
with  those  who  are  in  truths  derived  from  good,  that  is 
in  truths  of  doctrine  as  to  life.  E.  448. 

By  Ephraim,  Benjamin,  and  Manasseh  are  under- 
stood those  who  are  in  natural  truth  and  good,  and  in  the 
conjunction  thereof.  E.  449 

R-355 

A.  5585 

A.  9306 

A.  10579 

R.  939 
E.  412 

5-7.     because  they  are  in  affliction.  P.  P 

8,  9.  Here  also  the  Lord  is  spoken  of,  who  is  called  a  vine 
out  of  Egypt"  in  relation  to  the  knowledges  in  which  He 
was  instructed.  A.  1462. 

9,  10.  In  the  supreme  sense  the  Lord  is  meant,  the  vine 
out  of  Egypt  is  truth  from  outward  knowledges,  driving 
out  the  nations  is  purging  of  evils,  sweeping  before  it  is 
making  ready  that  goods  may  fill.  A.  3142. 

Man  is  born  natural,  becomes  rational  and  afterwards 
spiritual;  and  thus  the  vine  out  of  Egypt  is  planted  and 
takes  root.  R-  5°3- 

9-12.  He  has  instituted  a  church  and  reformed  it  by 
truths  from  the  Word.  P.  P. 

9  et  seq.     Mizraim  or  Egypt  in  the  Word  signifies  external 


3. 

See  Psalm  lx.  9. 

4, 

3, 

20. 

See  Psalm  xxxi. 
See  Psalm  lxvii. 
See  Psalm  iv.  7. 

16, 

2. 

17 

See  Psalm  xxvii. 

8, 

9- 

See  Psalm  lxvii. 

2. 

302  PSALM   LXXX. 

knowledges  or  various  matters  of  knowledge  wherewith 
men  would  explore  the  mysteries  of  faith,  and  thereby 
confirm  received  principles  of  falsity.  It  also  signifies 
simply  knowledges,  and  so  such  as  are  useful.      A.  1165. 

9-12,  14.  The  vine  out  of  Egypt  in  the  supreme  sense 
stands  for  the  Lord,  the  glorification  of  His  human  being 
described  by  it  and  its  branches.  In  the  internal  sense 
the  vine  is  here  the  spiritual  church,  and  the  man  of  that 
church,  such  as  he  is  when  made  new  or  regenerated  by 
the  Lord  as  to  the  intellectual  and  voluntary.  The  boar 
in  the  wood  is  the  falsity,  and  the  wild  beasts  of  the  field 
are  the  evil  which  destroy  the  church  as  to  faith  in  the 
Lord.  A.  51 13. 

9,  10,  12.  By  the  vine  out  of  Egypt  is  signified  the  church, 
which  the  sons  of  Israel  represented.  By  driving  out  the 
nations  is  signified  to  expel  the  evils  of  the  natural  man, 
which  are  expelled  by  truths.  Planting  it,  purging  before 
it  and  causing  its  roots  to  take  root  signifies  instruction 
according  to  order,  namely,  the  imbibing  scientifics  and 
knowledges,  then  the  being  as  in  a  wilderness  and  tempted, 
and  afterwards  introduced  into  the  land  of  Canaan, 
which  is  the  church.  Sending  out  the  shoots  thereof 
under  the  sea  signifies  the  increase  of  intelligence,  and 
the  extension  thereof  to  the  ultimates  of  good  and  truth 
appertaining  to  the  church.  Sending  .out  the  little 
branches  unto  the  river  signifies  unto  the  rational.  By 
the  river  —  Euphrates  —  is  signified  the  rational.   E.  654. 

9,  11.     See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  R.  336. 

By  the  vine  brought  out  of  Egypt  is  signified  the  spir- 
itual church,  which  commences  with  man  by  scientifics 
and  knowledges  in  the  natural  man.  The  vine  signifies 
the  spiritual  church,  and  Egypt  the  scientifics,  which  are 
in  the  natural  man.  After  evils  were  thence  ejected  the 
establishment  of  the  church  took  place,  the  heathen  stand 
for  evils,  to  plant  the  vine  the  establishment  of  the  church. 
The  whole  church  was  from  spiritual  good  and  truths, 


PSALM  LXXX.  303 

the  mountains  spiritual  goods,  and  the  goodly  cedars 
spiritual  truths.  It  is  evident  that  by  these  words  are 
understood  the  bringing  forth  of  the  children  of  Israel 
out  of  Egypt  and  their  introduction  into  Canaan.  E.  405. 
9,  12.  The  river  Euphrates  stands  for  the  faculties  of  sense 
and  knowledge.  The  Euphrates  was  the  boundary  of 
Asshur,  to  which  the  dominion  of  Israel  extended  —  as 
knowledge  in  the  memory  is  the  boundary  of  the  intelli- 
gence and  wisdom  of  the  spiritual  and  celestial  man. 

A.  120. 

A  vine  out  of  Egypt  stands  for  the  spiritual  church, 
represented  by  the  sons  of  Israel,  to  the  sea  and  to  the 
river  for  interior  truths  and  goods.  A.  9341. 

By  the  vine  are  understood  the  children  of  Israel  who 
are  called  a  vine  because  they  represented  the  spiritual 
church,  which  is  signified  by  a  vine  in  the  Word.  Their 
tarrying  in  Egypt  represented  their  initiation  into  the 
tilings  of  the  church,  for  Egypt  represents  the  scientifics 
subservient  to  the  things  of  the  church.  The  extension 
of  the  intelligence  of  the  church  even  to  things  scientific 
and  rational  is  signified  by  sending  out  her  boughs  and 
branches,  the  sea  the  scientific,  the  river  —  Euphrates  — 
the  rational,  sending  out  multiplication  and  extension. 

E.  518. 

The  foregoing  statement  partly  repeated  in        E.  569. 

12.  By  rivers  is  signified  truths  in  abundance.        R.  409. 

13.  14.     And  yet  falsities  begin  to  destroy  it.  P.  P. 

14.  By  wild  beasts  are  signified  the  affections  of  the  false 
arising  from  the  delights  of  the  loves  of  self  and  of  the 
world.  These  affections  are  also  represented  by  wild 
beasts,  as  by  panthers,  tigers,  wild  boars,  wolves,  bears  in 
the  other  life.  A.  9335. 

See  Psalm  viii.  7-9.  R.  567. 

By  a  vine  here  is  signified  the  same  as  by  a  vineyard, 
namely,  the  church  as  to  truth,  which  is  called  the  spiritual 
church.     Its  vastation  by  the  lusts  and  falsities  of  the 


304  PSALM   LXXX. 

J4  natural  man  separated  from  the  spiritual,  is  understood 
by  the  boar  out  of  the  wood  wasting  it,  and  the  wild  beast 
devouring  it.  The  boar  signifies  the  evil  lusts  of  the 
natural  man,  and  the  wild  beast  of  the  field  falsities. 

E.  3SS. 
By  wild  beasts  in  the  opposite  spiritual  sense  are  sig- 
nified lusts  of  the  false  from  evil,  and  by  birds  the  thoughts 
and  reasonings  thence.  Since  the  man  of  the  church 
thereby  spiritually  perishes,  therefore  everywhere  in  the 
Word  where  the  vastation  of  the  church  is  treated  of,  it  is 
said  that  they  shall  be  given  to  the  wild  beasts  and  the 
birds  to  be  devoured.  E.  650. 

15,  16.     See  Psalm  xx.  7.  A.  8281. 

15-20.  May  the  Lord  come  and  restore  it,  and  may  it 
thus  be  vivified.  P.  P. 

15,  16,  18.  David  spake  these  words  concerning  himself 
and  concerning  the  church,  which  is  the  sense  of  the  let- 
ter, for  he  understood  himself  by  the  shoot  and  by  the 
son,  but  in  the  spiritual  sense  by  the  vine  and  by  the  shoot 
which  Jehovah  planted  is  signified  the  spiritual  church, 
represented  by  the  sons  of  Israel.  By  the  son  whom  He 
made  strong  for  himself  is  signified  the  truth  of  doctrine 
from  the  Word.  By  verse  18  is  signified  the  truth  of  the 
Word  in  the  natural  sense,  which  is  the  sense  of  the  letter, 
and  the  same  in  the  spiritual  sense,  which  is  the  internal 
sense.  E.  724. 

16,  18.     By  the  right  hand  is  meant  omnipotence.    T.  136. 

17.  See  Psalm  xiii.  2.  R.  939. 
See  Psalm  xxxiv.  17.  E.  412. 

18.  The  man  of  the  right  hand  of  Jehovah,  and  the  son 
of  man  stand  for  the  Lord  as  to  Divine  truth.       A.  8281. 

Here  the  hand  of  Jehovah  stands  for  guard  from  om- 
nipotence and  omniscience,  the  man  of  the  right  hand  for 
whom  there  is  such  a  guard  stands  for  the  wise,  and  the 
son  of 'man  for  the  intelligent,  both  by  Divine  truth. 

E.  298. 


PSALM   LXXXI.  305 

18,  19.    See  Psalm  xliv.  4.  A.  10019. 

18-20.     The  man  of  the  right  hand  here  also  is  the  Lord  as 

to  the  Word,  so  too  is  the  Son  of  Man.  L.  27. 


PSALM  LXXXI. 

For  the  Chief  Musician;  set  to  Gittith.    A  Psalm  of  Asaph. 

1.  Sing  aloud  unto  God  our  strength: 

Make  a  joyful  noise  unto  the  God  of  Jacob. 

2.  Raise  a  song,  and  bring  hither  the  timbrel, 
The  pleasant  harp  with  the  psaltery. 

3.  Blow  the  trumpet  at  the  new  moon, 
At  the  full  moon,  on  our  feast-day. 

4.  For  it  is  a  statute  for  Israel, 

An  ordinance  of  the  God  of  Jacob. 

5.  He  appointed  it  in  Joseph  for  a  testimony, 
When  he  went  out  over  the  land  of  Egypt, 
Where  I  heard  a  language  that  I  knew  not. 

6.  I  removed  his  shoulder  from  the  burden: 
His  hands  were  freed  from  the  basket. 

7.  Thou  calledst  in  trouble,  and  I  delivered  thee; 
I  answered  thee  in  the  secret  place  of  thunder; 

I  proved  thee  at  the  waters  of  Meribah.  [Selah 

8.  Hear,  O  my  people,  and  I  will  testify  unto  thee: 
O  Israel,  if  thou  wouldest  hearken  unto  me! 

9.  There  shall  no  strange  god  be  in  thee; 
Neither  shalt  thou  worship  any  foreign  god. 

10.  I  am  Jehovah  thy  God, 

Who  brought  thee  up  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt: 
Open  thy  mouth  wide,  and  I  will  fill  it. 

11.  But  my  people  hearkened  not  to  my  voice; 
And  Israel  would  none  of  me. 

12.  So  I  let  them  go  after  the  stubbornness  of  their  heart, 
That  they  might  walk  in  their  own  counsels. 

13.  Oh  that  my  people  would  hearken  unto  me, 
That  Israel  would  walk  in  my  ways! 


306  PSALM  LXXXI. 

14.  I  would  soon  subdue  their  enemies, 

And  turn  my  hand  against  their  adversaries. 

15.  The  haters  of  Jehovah  should  submit  themselves  unto 

him : 
But  their  time  should  endure  for  ever. 

16.  He  would  feed  them  also  with  the  finest  of  the  wheat; 
And  with  honey  out  of  the  rock  would  I  satisfy  thee. 

Psalm  LXXXI. 

1-5.     Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord  by  His  church.         P.  P. 

1,  2,  4,  5.     The  God  of  Jacob  is  the  Lord.  A.  3305. 

2,  3.     See  Psalm  lxviii.  25,  26.  A.  8337. 
2,  3,  4.     Songs  were  for  the  sake  of  the  exaltation  of  the 

life  of  love,  and  hence  of  joy.  R.  279. 

On  account  of  musical  instruments  and  also  dances  sig- 
nifying joy  and  gladness  which  result  from  affections,  and 
also  the  affections  of  the  mind  themselves,  which  their 
several  sounds  produce  both  in  what  is  simple  and  in 
what  is  complex,  therefore  David  and  the  whole  house  of 
Israel  played  before  Jehovah  on  all  manner  of  instru- 
ments made  of  fir  wood,  even  on  harps  and  psalteries  and 
on  timbrels,  on  cornets  and  on  cymbals  ■ —  see  ii.  Samuel 
vi.  5.  E.  323. 

See  Psalm  xlvii.  2,  6,  9.  E.  326. 

3-6.  That  Joseph  is  here  the  spiritual  church,  or  the  spir- 
itual man,  is  manifest  from  every  word  and  expression, 
for  in  the  Word  there  are  words  which  express  spiritual 
things,  and  others  which  express  celestial  things,  and  this 
with  uniformity  throughout.  In  this  passage  are  words 
which  express  spiritual  things,  as  the  psalm,  the  timbrel, 
the  harp  with  the  psaltery,  blowing  the  trumpet  in  the 
new  moon,  in  the  festival  on  the  day  of  our  feast.  A.  3969. 

Here  by  taking  a  psalm,  and  bringing  the  timbrel  are 
meant  confessions  from  spiritual  and  celestial  truths,  and 
the  delights  of  the  affection  of  truth  and  good.  Verse  6 
means   worship   from    the   delight   of   those   affections. 


PSALM   LXXXI.  307 

Verse  7  signifies  that  those  things  were  for  the  new  church 
instituted  with  the  children  of  Israel,  which  was  in  truth 
of  doctrine.  By  a  language  which  I  understood  not, 
signifies  when  the  old  church  was  destroyed,  which  was 
at  that  time  in  falsities  of  doctrine,  for  Egypt  when  Joseph 
was  Lord  there,  represented  a  church  which  is  in  the 
knowledges  of  truth  and  good  and  in  confirming  sciences, 
but  when  the  children  of  Israel  began  to  be  hated  and  ill- 
treated  Egypt  then  represented  the  church  destroyed, 
and  in  mere  falsities.     See  Exodus  i.  8.  E.  448. 

4.  States  of  life  as  to  truths  are  signified  by  months,  be- 
cause the  times  determined  by  the  moon  are  meant  by 
months,  and  truth  of  the  understanding  and  of  faith  is 
signified  by  the  moon.  R.  935. 

6-8.  When  called  upon  and  when  He  has  proved  man,  He 
delivers  Him  from  the  hells.  P.  P. 

7.  To  carry  on  the  shoulder  when  subjection  is  treated  of 
signifies  service.  See  Matthew  xxiii.  4:  Isaiah  ix.  4; 
x.  27.  A.  9836. 

The  natural  man  as  to  what  is  scientific  is  signified  by 
the  iron  furnace  (basket),  the  furnace  stands  for  the 
natural  man  and  iron  what  is  scientific,  in  this  case.scien- 
tific  falsities,  because  it  is  said  that  they  were  brought  out 
of  it.  E.  540. 

8.  The  quality  of  the  complaint  in  the  temptation  is  sig- 
nified in  the  internal  sense  by  Meribah,  namely,  that  the 
Israelitic  nation  were  not  willing  to  entreat  Jehovah  by 
supplication,  but  that  they  expostulated.  A.  8588. 

See  Psalm  lxxvii.  16,  18,  19.  R.  236. 

That  a  voice  out  of  heaven  when  from  the  Lord  is  heard 

as  thunder  is  manifest.     See  John  xii.  28-30:  Job  xxxvii. 

4,  5-  R.  472. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  14,  15.  E.  273. 

9-12.     The  church  among  the  children  of  Israel  has  gone 

back,  and  worships  another  God,  P.  P. 

13.     therefore  they  have  been  left  to  themselves.         P.  P. 


308  PSALM  LXXXI, 

1 4- 17.  If  they  had  obeyed  the  hells  would  have  been  re- 
moved from  them,  and  they  would  have  enjoyed  every 
good.  P.  P. 

14,  17.  The  fat  of  the  kidneys  of  wheat  is  the  celestial  of 
love  and  charity,  and  as  fat  or  fatness  signifies  the  celestial, 
and  wheat  love,  they  are  therefore  frequently  joined  to- 
gether in  the  Word.  A.  3941. 

Wheat  and  barley  signify  the  good  and  truth  of  the 
church.  R.  315. 

By  the  finest  of  the  wheat,  and  honey  out  of  the  rock 
are  here  signified  good  of  every  kind  and  the  delight 
thereof  originating  in  celestial  good  from  the  Lord,  the 
finest  means  celestial  good,  wheat  good  of  every  kind  in 
general,  honey  the  delight  of  good,  and  rock  the  Lord. 
That  these  things  will  be  given  to  those  who  are  signified 
by  Israel,  if  they  live  according  to  the  precepts  of  the 
Lord,  is  understood  by  verse  14,  ways  in  the  Word  signi- 
fying truths  and  also  precepts,  and  to  walk  signifies  to 
live.  E.  374. 

By  the  rock  here  also  is  understood  the  Lord  as  to 

Divine  truth.  E.  411. 

17.     Satisfying  with  honey  out  of  the  rock  stands  for  filling 

with  enjoyment  from  the  truths  of  faith.  A.  5620. 

Because  fat  signified  good  it  is  also  adjoined  to  such 
things  as  are  not  fat  in  themselves,  but  still  signify  goods. 
Thus  fat  and  good  were  as  if  the  same  thing.         A.  5943. 

Rock  signified  the  Lord  as  to  faith.  A.  8581. 

By  the  fat  of  wheat  is  signified  the  delight  of  spiritual 
good,  and  by  honey  out  of  the  rock  the  delight  of  natural 
good  by  truths  from  the  Lord.  E.  619. 


PSALM   LXXXII.  309 

PSALM  LXXXII. 

A  Psalm  of  Asaph. 

God  standeth  in  the  congregation  of  God; 

He  judgeth  among  the  gods. 

How  long  will  ye  judge  unjustly, 

And  respect  the  persons  of  the  wicked?  [Selah 

Judge  the  poor  and  fatherless: 

Do  justice  to  the  afflicted  and  destitute. 

Rescue  the  poor  and  needy: 

Deliver  them  out  of  the  hand  of  the  wicked. 

They  know  not,  neither  do  they  understand; 

They  walk  to  and  fro  in  darkness: 

All  the  foundations  of  the  earth  are  shaken. 

6.  I  said,  Ye  are  gods, 

And  all  of  you  sons  of  the  Most  High. 

7.  Nevertheless  ye  shall  die  like  men, 
And  fall  like  one  of  the  princes. 

8.  Arise,  O  God,  judge  the  earth; 

For  thou  shalt  inherit  all  the  nations. 

Psalm  LXXXII. 

1.  See  Psalm  xviii.  3,  29,  30,  32.  Add:  For  this  reason 
every  angel  or  spirit  that  spake  with  men,  and  whom  they 
believed  to  have  any  power,  they  called  god.  A.  300. 

Those  are  called  gods  who  are  in  Divine  truths  from 
the  Lord,  and  abstractly  the  truths  themselves.       R.  44. 

The  assembly  of  God  signifies  heaven.  Among  the 
gods  signifies  with  all  the  angels  there,  thus  in  the  whole 
heaven,  for  the  angels  are  called  gods  from  the  Divine 
truth  which  they  receive  from  the  Lord,  for  God  in  the 
Word  signifies  the  Lord  as  to  the  Divine  truth  proceeding 
from  Him,  and  which  constitutes  heaven.  E.  313. 

Since  to  stand  also  signifies  to  be,  it  is  also  said  of 
Jehovah.  E.  414. 

By  the  assembly  of  God,  and  by  the  gods  in  the  midst 


310  PSALM   LXXXII. 

1  of  whom  Jehovah  stood  are  understood  the  angels,  by 
whom  in  the  spiritual  sense  are  signified  Divine  truths, 
and  since  the  Lord  in  heaven  is  Divine  truth,  therefore  to 
stand  is  predicated  concerning  Him.  E.  639. 

The  Lord  to  the  church  in  which  is  the  Word,  from 
which  it  is  possible  to  be  in  Divine  truths.  P.  P. 

1,  6.  It  is  manifestly  plain  that  the  congregation  of  God, 
and  the  gods  mean  the  angelic  heaven.  A.  4295. 

The  truths  which  proceed  from  the  Lord  are  what  are 
here  meant  by  gods.  This  is  evident  from  its  first  being 
said  in  the  singular  number,  the  congregation  of  God,  and 
afterwards  in  the  midst  of  the  gods.  A.  8301. 

2-4.     Let  them  not  do  evils  but  goods.  P.  P. 

5.  The  earth  in  the  Word  stands  for  the  church,  and  its 
foundations  are  the  truths  of  faith,  for  these  truths  of  the 
church  are  for  foundations.  A.  9643. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  8,  16.  R.  589. 

See  Psalm  xi.  2,  3.  R.  902. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  8,  16.  E.  1057. 

Because  they  do  not  do  goods,  the  church  is  tottering. 

P.  P. 

6.  Men  also  on  account  of  their  power  were  called  gods. 

A.  300. 

They  who  are  in  doctrinals  and  not  so  much  in  life  do 
not  know  otherwise  than  that  the  heavenly  kingdom  is 
similar  to  kingdoms  on  earth,  in  that  men  become  great 
by  ruling  over  others,  this  enjoyment  being  the  only  one 
with  which  they  are  acquainted,  and  which  they  prefer 
to  every  other  enjoyment,  wherefore  the  Lord  spake  also 
in  the  Word  according  to  this  appearance.  A.  3417. 

They  are  called  gods  from  truths,  for  sons  are  truths. 

A.  4402. 

See  Psalm  xxix.  1.  A.  7268. 

See  Psalm  vii.  18.  A.  8153. 

"  Jesus  answered  them,  Is  it  not  written  in  your  law,  I 
said,  ye  are  gods?"  See  John  x.  34.  This  is  written 
here.  L.  10. 


PSALM   LXXXIII.  3II 

The  foregoing  statement  repeated  in  T.  262. 

By  the  law  in  the  broadest  sense  is  meant  the  whole 

Word.     This  is  manifest  from  —  the  foregoing  statement 

of  L.  10  repeated.  T.  288. 

6,  7.     Thus,  although   they  possess   the   Word  they  will 

perish.  P.  P. 

8.     Prayer  that  the  Lord  may  come  and  effect  the  judgment. 

P.  P. 


PSALM   LXXXIII. 

A  Song,  a  Psalm  of  Asaph. 


O  God,  keep  not  thou  silence: 

Hold  not  thy  peace,  and  be  not  still,  O  God. 

For,  lo,  thine  enemies  make  a  tumult; 

And  they  that  hate  thee  have  lifted  up  the  head. 

They  take  crafty  counsel  against  thy  people, 

And  consult  together  against  thy  hidden  ones. 

They  have  said,  Come,  and  let  us  cut  them  off  from 
being  a  nation; 

That  the  name  of  Israel  may  be  no  more  in  remem- 
brance. 

For  they  have  consulted  together  with  one  consent; 

Against  thee  do  they  make  a  covenant: 

The  tents  of  Edom  and  the  Ishmaelites; 

Moab,  and  the  Hagarenes; 

Gebal,  and  Ammon,  and  Amalek; 

Philistia  with  the  inhabitants  of  Tyre: 

Assyria  also  is  joined  with  them; 

They  have  helped  the  children  of  Lot.  [Selah 

Do  thou  unto  them  as  unto  Midian, 

As  to  Sisera,  as  to  Jabin,  at  the  river  Kishon; 

Who  perished  at  En-dor, 

Who  became  as  dung  for  the  earth. 

Make  their  nobles  like  Oreb  and  Zeeb; 

Yea,  all  their  princes  like  Zebah  and  Zalmunna; 


312  PSALM   LXXXIII. 

12.  Who  said,  Let  us  take  to  ourselves  in  possession 
The  habitations  of  God. 

13.  O  my  God,  make  them  like  the  whirling  dust; 
As  stubble  before  the  wind. 

14.  As  the  fire  that  burneth  the  forest, 

And  as  the  flame  that  setteth  the  mountains  on  fire, 

15.  So  pursue  them  with  thy  tempest, 
And  terrify  them  with  thy  storm. 

16.  Fill  their  faces  with  confusion, 

That  they  may  seek  thy  name,  O  Jehovah. 

17.  Let  them  be  put  to  shame  and  dismayed  for  ever; 
Yea,  let  them  be  confounded  and  perish; 

18.  That  they  may  know  that  thou  alone,  whose  name  is 

Jehovah, 
Art  the  Most  High  over  all  the  earth. 


Psalm  LXXXIII. 

General  Subject.     Combats  of  the  Lord  with  the  hells. 

P.  P. 

I.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

1-6.     The  hells  wish  to  destroy  all  things  of  the  church. 

P.  P. 

3-9.  To  consult  together  against  the  hidden  ones,  to  cut 
them  off  from  being  a  nation,  that  the  name  of  Israel 
should  be  no  more  in  remembrance,  is  altogether  to  cast 
out  interior  things,  the  tents  of  Edom,  the  Ishmaelites, 
Moab,  the  Hagarenes,  Gebal,  and  Ammon  are  they  who 
are  in  the  externals  of  worship  and  doctrine.  Philistia 
with  Tyre  are  things  which  they  speak  concerning  inter- 
nals, but  they  are  not  in  them.  Asshur  who  is  an  arm  to 
the  sons  of  Lot,  is  reasoning  by  which  they  fight  for  ex- 
ternals and  against  internals.  A.  2468. 

5-7.  The  evil  of  self-love,  which  is  such  that  it  does  not 
admit  the  truths  of  faith,  thus  neither  the  doctrinals  of 
truth,  is  described  in  various  passages  of  the  Word  by 
Esau  and  Edom,  and  at  the  same  time  the  state  of  the 
church  when  it  becomes  of  this  quality.  A.  3322. 


PSALM   LXXXIV. 


3*3 


7-9.  The  hells  that  rise  up  against  the  Lord  are  enum- 
erated. P.  p 

8.     See  Psalm  lvi.  1.  A.  9340. 

Falsities  by  which  truths  are  attacked  are  signified  by 

the  Amalekites.  A.  1679. 

Where  Asshur  is  mentioned  what  is  of  reason,  either 

true  or  false  is  signified.  A.  1186. 

10-12.     They  will  be  cast  down  and  subjugated.        P.  P. 

13.  From  the  places  where  they  have  made  spurious 
heavens  for  themselves.  P.  P. 

14-18.     Prayer  to  the  Lord  to  overthrow  them.  P.  P. 

16.     See  Psalm  xi.  6.  R.  343. 

See  Psalm  xi.  6.  E.  419. 

19.  That  it  may  be  known  that  power  belongs  to  the  Lord 
alone.  P.  P. 


PSALM  LXXXIV. 


For  the  Chief  Musician;  set  to  the  Gittith.     A  Psalm  of  the  sons  of 
Korah. 

i.     How  amiable  are  thy  tabernacles, 
O  Jehovah  of  hosts ! 

2.  My  soul  longeth,  yea,  even  fainteth  for  the  courts  of 

Jehovah; 
My  heart  and  my  flesh  cry  out  unto  the  living  God. 

3.  Yea,  the  sparrow  hath  found  her  a  house, 

And  the  swallow  a  nest  for  herself,  where  she  may  lay 

her  young, 
Even  thine  altars,  O  Jehovah  of  hosts, 
My  King,  and  my  God. 

4.  Blessed  are  they  that  dwell  in  thy  house: 

They  will  be  still  praising  thee.  [Selah 

5.  Blessed  is  the  man  whose  strength  is  in  thee; 
In  whose  heart  are  the  highways  to  Zion. 

6.  Passing  through  the  valley  of  Weeping  they  make  it  a 

place  of  springs; 
Yea,  the  early  rain  covereth  it  with  blessings. 


314  PSALM   LXXXIV. 

7.  They  go  from  strength  to  strength: 

Every  one  of  them  appeareth  before  God  in  Zion. 

8.  O  Jehovah  God  of  hosts,  hear  my  prayer; 

Give  ear,  O  God  of  Jacob.  [Selah 

9.  Behold,  O  God  our  shield, 

And  look  upon  the  face  of  thine  anointed. 

10.  For  a  day  in  thy  courts  is  better  than  a  thousand. 

I  had  rather  be  a  door-keeper  in  the  house  of  my  God, 
Than  to  dwell  in  the  tents  of  wickedness. 

11.  For  Jehovah  God  is  a  sun  and  a  shield: 
Jehovah  will  give  grace  and  glory; 

No  good  thing  will  he  withhold  from  them  that  walk 
uprightly. 

12.  O  Jehovah  of  hosts, 

Blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  thee. 


Psalm  LXXXIV. 

General  Subject.     Combats  of  the  Lord  with  the  hells. 

P.  P. 

1-5.     Love  and  the  desire  for  the  church  and  heaven.  P.  P. 

2.     That  the   Divine  things  proceeding  from  the  Divine 

Human  of  the  Lord  are  properly  called  habitations,  and 

that  hence  heaven  itself  is  called  a  habitation  is  manifest. 

A.  9594. 

2,  3.     See  Psalm  lxv.  5.  R.  487. 

See  Psalm  lxv.  5.  E.  630. 

2-5.     By  altars  here  are  evidently  understood  the  heavens, 

for  it  is  said  —  see  verses  2  and  3.     By  tabernacles  or 

dwellings  are  understood  the  superior  heavens,  and  by 

courts  the  inferior  heavens  where  there  is  entrance,  which 

heavens  are  also  called  altars  from  worship.     Since  all 

worship  is  from  the  good  of  love  by  truths,  it  is  therefore 

said  "even  thine  altars,  O  Jehovah  of  hosts,  my  King  and 

my  God,"  for  the  Lord  is  called  Jehovah  from  Divine 

good,  and  King  and  God  from  Divine  truth.     Because 

the  heavens  are  understood  it  is  also  said,  "blessed  are 


PSALM   LXXXIV.  315 

they  that  dwell  in  thy  house,"  the  house  of  Jehovah  God 
standing  for  heaven  in  all  its  compass.  Sparrow  here 
signifies  spiritual  truth,  and  swallow  natural  truth,  by 
which  worship  is  performed.  Since  all  truth  by  which 
worship  is  performed  is  from  the  good  of  love,  it  is  there- 
fore first  said,  "  my  heart  and  my  flesh  crieth  out  for  the 
living  God,"  heart  and  flesh  signifying  the  good  of  love, 
and  to  cry  out  worship  from  the  delight  of  good.      E.  391. 

3.     See  Psalm  lxiii.  2.  A.  3813. 

See  Psalm  lxiii.  2.  R.  832. 

By  the  flesh  which  desireth  Jehovah,  and  which  jubi- 
lates towards  the  living  God,  is  signified  man  as  to  the 
good  of  the  will,  for  the  flesh  of  man  corresponds  to  the 
good  or  evil  of  his  will,  and  the  blood  to  the  truth  or  false 
of  his  understanding,  in  the  present  case  flesh  stands  for 
the  good  of  the  will.  E.  1082. 

3-5.     See  Psalm  xxvi.  6,  7.  R.  392. 

6-8.  Because  of  trust  in  the  Lord  the  church  will  increase 
in-truths  and  goods.  P.  P. 

8,  9.     See  Psalm  xlvi.  7,  8.  A.  3305. 

Verse  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  63. 

9-13.     Her  happiness  arises  from  trust  in  the  Lord.     P.  P. 

10.  See  Psalm  ii.  2,  6.  A.  9954. 
See  Psalm  ii.  2,  6.  R.  779. 
See  Psalm  ii.  2,  6.  E.  375. 

11.  The  tents  here  are  the  worship  of  that  which  was  sep- 
arating itself  from  the  internal,  tents  therefore  signifies 
worship  not  holy.  A.  1566. 

Standing  at  the  door  means  communicating  from  with- 
out with  good,  which  is  the  house  of  God.  A.  8989. 

See  Psalm  lxv.  5.  A.  9741. 

See  Psalm  lxv.  5.  R.  487. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  7.  E.  220. 

By  the  courts  is  here  signified  the  first  or  ultimate 
heaven,  by  which  is  entrance  to  the  superior  heavens. 

E.  630. 


316  PSALM   LXXXIV, 

12.     See  Psalm  xxv.  21.  A.  612. 

Signifying  protection.  A.  1788. 

See  Psalm  xxv.  21.  A.  9905. 

The  sun  signifies  the  good  of  love  to  the  Lord  in  man. 

E.  401. 


PSALM  LXXXV. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah. 

1.  Jehovah,  thou  hast  been  favorable  unto  thy  land, 
Thou  hast  brought  back  the  captivity  of  Jacob. 

2.  Thou  hast  forgiven  the  iniquity  of  thy  people; 

Thou  hast  covered  all  their  sin.  [Selah 

3.  Thou  hast  taken  away  all  thy  wrath; 

Thou  hast  turned  thyself  from  the  fierceness  of  thine 
anger. 

4.  Turn  us,  O  God  of  our  salvation, 

And  cause  thine  indignation  toward  us  to  cease. 

5.  Wilt  thou  be  angry  with  us  for  ever? 

Wilt  thou  draw  out  thine  anger  to  all  generations  ? 

6.  Wilt  thou  not  quicken  us  again, 
That  thy  people  may  rejoice  in  thee  ? 

7.  Show  us  thy  lovingkindness,  O  Jehovah, 
And  grant  us  thy  salvation. 

8.  I  will  hear  what  God  Jehovah  will  speak; 

For  he  will  speak  peace  unto  his  people,  and  to  his 

saints : 
But  let  them  not  turn  again  to  folly. 

9.  Surely  his  salvation  is  nigh  them  that  fear  him, 
That  glory  may  dwell  in  our  land. 

10.     Mercy  and  truth  are  met  together; 

Righteousness  and  peace  have  kissed  each  other. 
n.     Truth  springeth  out  of  the  earth; 

And  righteousness  hath  looked  down  from  heaven. 

12.  Yea,  Jehovah  will  give  that  which  is  good; 
And  our  land  shall  yield  its  increase. 

13.  Righteousness  shall  go  before  him, 

And  shall  make  his  footsteps  a  way  to  walk  in. 


PSALM   LXXXV.  317 


Psalm  LXXXV. 

1-8.  Prayer  of  the  Lord  to  the  Father,  to  institute  a  new 
church  after  judgment  has  been  executed  upon  the  evil. 

P.  P. 

6.  See  Psalm  vi.  2.  A.  8286. 

7.  They  that  receive  faith  in  the  Lord  are  said  to  be  made 
alive.  A.  290. 

9-14.  Perception  from  His  Divine,  that  a  church  will  arise 
and  flourish,  which  will  acknowledge  the  Lord,  walking 
in  truths.  P.  P. 

9,  11.     See  Psalm  iv.  7-9.  R.  306. 

See  Psalm  lv.  19.  T.  303. 

By  Jehovah  speaking  peace  unto  His  people  and  to 
His  saints  is  signified  that  He  will  teach  them,  and  give 
them  conjunction  with  Himself  by  the  conjunction  of 
good  and  truth  in  them,  both  these  conjunctions  are  sig- 
nified by  peace.  By  people  are  signified  those  who  are 
in  truth  from  good,  and  by  saints  those  who  are  in  good 
from  truth,  that  such  shall  not  afterwards  be  in  evil  from 
falsities  is  signified  by  their  not  returning  to  folly.  Both 
the  above  conjunctions,  namely,  the  conjunction  of  good 
and  truth,  and  thence  conjunction  with  the  Lord  are 
further  described  by  these  words,  "Mercy  and  truth  are 
met  together,  righteousness  and  peace  have  kissed  each 
other."  Mercy  here  signifying  removal  from  falsities, 
and  consequent  reception  of  truths,  and  justice  signifying 
the  removal  of  evils,  and  consequent  reception  of  goods. 

E.  365- 

11.  See  Psalm  lxi.  8.  A.  3122. 
Let  justice  and  peace  kiss  each  other  means  let  them 

conjoin  themselves.  A.  3574. 

See  Psalm  xxv.  10.  A.  6180. 

See  Psalm  xxxvi.  6.  A.  10577. 

12.  See  Psalm    xxxvi.    7.  Add:    Because    judgment    is 


318  PSALM   LXXXV. 

spoken  of  truth,  in  certain  passages  we  read   "truth  and 

justice."  S.  85. 

Since  judgment  relates  to  truth,  and  justice  to  good, 

therefore  we  read  in  some  places  of  "truth  and  justice." 

R.  668. 

12-13.     Here  truth  which  is  of  faith  is  used  for  judgment, 

and  justice  for  love  or  mercy.  A.  2235. 

See  Psalm  xv.  2.  A.  9263. 


PSALM  LXXXVI. 

A  Prayer  of  David. 

i.     Bow  down  thine  ear,  O  Jehovah,  and  answer  me; 
For  I  am  poor  and  needy. 

2.  Preserve  my  soul;  for  I  am  godly: 

O  thou  my  God,  save  thy  servant  that  trusteth  in  thee. 

3.  Be  merciful  unto  me,  O  Lord; 

For  unto  thee  do  I  cry  all  the  day  long. 

4.  Rejoice  the  soul  of  thy  servant; 

For  unto  thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  lift  up  my  soul. 

5.  For  thou,  Lord,  art  good,  and  ready  to  forgive, 

And  abundant  in  lovingkindness  unto  all  them  that  call 
upon  thee. 

6.  Give  ear,  O  Jehovah,  unto  my  prayer; 

And  hearken  unto  the  voice  of  my  supplications. 

7.  In  the  day  of  my  trouble  I  will  call  upon  thee; 
For  thou  wilt  answer  me. 

8.  There  is  none  like  unto  thee  among  the  gods,  O  Lord; 
Neither  are  there  any  works  like  unto  thy  works. 

9.  All  nations  wThom  thou  hast  made  shall  come  and  wor- 

ship before  thee,  O  Lord; 
And  they  shall  glorify  thy  name. 

10.  For  thou  art  great,  and  doest  wrondrous  things: 
Thou  art  God  alone. 

11.  Teach  me  thy  way,   O  Jehovah;  I  will  walk  in  thy 

truth: 
Unite  my  heart  to  fear  thy  name. 


PSALM   LXXXVI.  319 

12.  I  will  praise  thee,  O  Lord  my  God,  with  my  whole 

heart; 
And  I  will  glorify  thy  name  for  evermore. 

13.  For  great  is  thy  lovingkindness  toward  me; 

And  thou  hast  delivered  my  soul  from  the  lowest  Sheol. 

14.  O  God,  the  proud  are  risen  up  against  me, 

And  a  company  of  violent  men  have  sought  after  my 

soul, 
And  have  not  set  thee  before  them. 

15.  But  thou,  O  Lord,  art  a  God  merciful  and  gracious, 
Slow  to  anger,  and  abundant  in  lovingkindness  and 

truth. 

16.  Oh  turn  unto  me,  and  have  mercy  upon  me; 
Give  thy  strength  unto  thy  servant, 

And  save  the  son  of  thy  handmaid. 

17.  Show  me  a  token  for  good, 

That  they  who  hate  me  may  see  it,  and  be  put  to  shame, 
Because  thou,  Jehovah,  hast  helped  me,  and  comforted 
me. 

Psalm  LXXXVI. 

I.  See  Psalm  ix.  19.  R.  209. 
See  Psalm  xl.  18.  E.  238. 

18.  Prayer  of  the  Lord  to  the  Father  for  help  in  tempta- 
tions. P.  P. 

2 T  4,  16.     See  Psalm  xxvii.  9.  E.  409. 

8.  That  it  is  so  often  said  that  Jehovah  is  above  all  gods, 
and  that  He  is  God  of  gods,  is  because  at  that  time  many 
gods  were  worshipped,  and  the  nations  were  distinguished 
by  the  gods  whom  they  worshipped.  Each  nation  be- 
lieved that  its  own  god  was  the  supreme  of  all.  Because 
therefore  the  idea  of  a  plurality  of  gods  was  seated  in  all 
minds,  it  was  a  matter  of  dispute  which  of  them  was  the 
greater.  A.  8301. 

II.  To  fear  God  signifies  to  love  the  things  which  are  God's, 
by  doing  them,  and  not  being  willing  to  do  the  things  that 
are  contrary  to  Him.  R.  527. 


320  PSALM   LXXXVI. 

11  By  teaching  the  way  is  signified  to  teacli  truth.  That 
the  good  of  love  must  be  conjoined  with  the  truths  of 
faith  is  signified  by,  unite  my  heart  to  the  fear  of  thy 
name,  the  heart  signifying  the  love,  and  fear  the  holy 
principle  of  faith,  which  must  be  united  or  to  be  together 
in  worship.  E.  696. 

II,  12.  because  thus  there  will  be  worship  of  the  Lord, 
and  confession  of  Him.  P.  P. 

13,  14.     The  hells  are  in  insurrection.  P.  P. 

15.  See  Psalm  lxi.  8.  A.  3122. 
See  Psalm  xxv.  10.  A.  6180. 
See  Psalm  vi.  2.                                                  A.  8286. 

15-17.     By  His  help  they  will  be  overthrown.  P.  P. 

16.  17.  By  mark  was  represented  that  they  should  dis- 
tinguish the  commandment  respecting  love  above  all  the 
other  commandments.  A.  396. 

1 7.  Testifications  that  a  thing  is  true  are  signified  by  signs. 

R.  598. 

To  make  a  sign  for  good  signifies  testification  that 

Jehovah  will  help  and  console  him.  E.  706. 


PSALM  LXXXVII. 

A  Psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah;  a  Song. 

1.  His  foundation  is  in  the  holy  mountains. 

2.  Jehovah  loveth  the  gates  of  Zion 
More  than  all  the  dwellings  of  Jacob. 

3.  Glorious  things  are  spoken  of  thee, 

O  city  of  God.  [Selah 

4.  I  will  make  mention  of  Rahab  and  Babylon  as  among 

them  that  know  me: 
Behold,  Philistia,  and  Tyre,  with  Ethiopia: 
This  one  was  born  there. 

5.  Yea,  of  Zion  it  shall  be  said,  This  one  and  that  one  was 

born  in  her; 
And  the  Most  High  himself  will  establish  her. 


PSALM   LXXXVII.  321 

6.  Jehovah  will  count,  when  he  writeth  up  the  peoples, 
This  one  was  born  there.  [Selah 

7.  They  that  sing  as  well  as  they  that  dance  shall  say, 
All  my  fountains  are  in  thee. 


Psalm   LXXXVII. 

1.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1-3.     In  the  supreme  sense  by  Jacob  and  Israel  the  Lord 

is  meant.  A.  3305. 

1-8.     Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord  by  a  new  church  that  will 

be  gathered  together  from  all  parts.  P.  P. 

1,  2,  5-7.     See  Psalm  xlviii.  3,  4.  E.  850. 

2.  By  Zion  and  by  the  daughter  of  Zion  is  understood  the 
celestial  church.  E.  208. 

2,  3.  Knowledges  of  truth  and  good  are  signified  by  gates. 
A  man  is  introduced  into  the  church,  by  them  as  into  a 
city.  R.  899. 

2>  3>  6,  7.  Heaven  and  the  church  where  the  Lord  alone  is 
worshipped  are  signified  by  mount  Zion.  R.  612. 

3,  4.  The  Philistines  signify  in  general  a  memory  of  the 
knowledges  of  faith,  and  in  particular  those  who  place 
faith  and  salvation  in  knowledges  alone,  which  they  make 
matters  of  memory.  A.  1197. 

The  city  of  God  is  the  doctrine  of  the  truth  of  faith 
derived  from  the  Word,  Tyre  stands  for  the  knowledges 
of  truth  and  good,  in  like  manner  Ethiopia,  hence  it  is 
evident  that  Philistia  stands  for  the  science  of  the  truths 
of  faith.  A.  9340. 

4,  Cush  stands  for  internal  knowledges  from  the  Word, 
and  therefore  it  is  said  he  was  born  in  the  city  of  God. 

A.  1 164. 

Babel  in  the  beginning  is  the  church  which  is  in  the 

zeal  for  the  Lord  for  the  good  of  love  and  for  the  truths  of 

faith,  although  inwardly  in  the  zeal  of  her  pastors  there 


322  PSALM   LXXXVII. 

lies  concealed  a  fire  of  the  love  of  ruling  by  the  holy  things 
of  the  church  over  all  whom  they  can  subdue  to  them- 
selves. E.  1029. 
7.     See  Psalm  xxxvi.  9,  10.  R.  384. 
See  Psalm  lxviii.  27.  E.  483. 


PSALM  LXXXVIIL 


A  Song,  a  Psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah;  for  the  Chief  Musician;  set  to 
Mahalath  Leannoth.     Maschil  of  Heman  the  Ezrahite. 

0  Jehovah,  the  God  of  my  salvation, 

1  have  cried  day  and  night  before  thee. 
Let  my  prayer  enter  into  thy  presence; 
Incline  thine  ear  unto  my  cry. 
For  my  soul  is  full  of  troubles, 
And  my  life  draweth  nigh  unto  Sheol. 
I  am  reckoned  with  them  that  go  down  into  the  pit; 
I  am  as  a  man  that  hath  no  help, 
Cast  off  among  the  dead, 

Like  the  slain  that  lie  in  the  grave, 
Whom  thou  rememberest  no  more, 
And  they  are  cut  off  from  thy  hand. 

6.  Thou  hast  laid  me  in  the  lowest  pit, 
In  dark  places,  in  the  deeps.  - 

7.  Thy  wrath  lieth  hard  upon  me, 

And  thou  hast  afflicted  me  with  all  thy  waves.    [Selah 

8.  Thou  hast  put  mine  acquaintance  far  from  me; 
Thou  hast  made  me  an  abomination  unto  them: 
I  am  shut  up,  and  I  cannot  come  forth. 

9.  Mine  eye  wasteth  away  by  reason  of  affliction: 
I  have  called  daily  upon  thee,  O  Jehovah; 

I  have  spread  forth  my  hands  unto  thee. 

10.  Wilt  thou  show  wonders  to  the  dead? 

Shall  they  that  are  deceased  arise  and  praise  thee  ? 

[Selah 

1 1 .  Shall  thy  lovingkindness  be  declared  in  the  grave  ? 
Or  thy  faithfulness  in  Destruction  ? 


PSALM   LXXXVIII.  323 

12.  Shall  thy  wonders  be  known  in  the  dark? 

And  thy  righteousness  in  the  land  of  forgetfulness  ? 

13.  But  unto  thee,  O  Jehovah,  have  I  cried; 

And  in  the  morning  shall  my  prayer  come  before  thee. 

14.  Jehovah,  why  castest  thou  off  my  soul? 
Why  hidest  thou  thy  face  from  me  ? 

15.  I  am  afflicted  and  ready  to  die  from  my  youth  up: 
While  I  suffer  thy  terrors  I  am  distracted. 

16.  Thy  fierce  wrath  is  gone  over  me; 
Thy  terrors  have  cut  me  off. 

17.  They  came  round  about  me  like  water  all  the  day  long; 
They  compassed  me  about  together. 

18.  Lover  and  friend  hast  thou  put  far  from  me, 
And  mine  acquaintance  into  darkness. 

Psalm  LXXXVIII. 

1.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1-10,  14-19.  In  temptations  that  continue  even  to  de- 
spair the  Lord  addresses  the  Father,  that  He  is  seemingly 
overcome  by  the  infernals.  P.  P. 

5,  6.  They  that  are  pierced  in  hell,  in  the  pit,  and  in  the 
grave,  stand  for  those  who  have  destroyed  truths  and 
goods  in  themselves  by  falsities  and  evils.  That  they  are 
not  in  hell  because  they  were  pierced  with  the  sword  — 
Ezekiel  xxxii.  19-21  —  may  be  known  by  every  one. 

A.  4503. 

5-7.     See  Psalm  xlii.  8.  E.  538. 

5-7,  12.  The  subject  here  treated  of  is  concerning  temp- 
tations, in  the  supreme  sense  concerning  the  temptations 
of  the  Lord,  the  quality  of  which  is  here  described,  which 
was  such  that  He  seemed  to  Himself  to  be  as  it  were  in 
hell  amongst  the  damned,  so  exceedingly  direful  and 
enormous  were  the  temptations  which  the  Lord  sustained, 
wherefore  "  I  am  reputed  with  those  that  go  down  into 
the  pit"  signifies,  that  He  seemed  to  Himself  as  it  were  in 


324 


PSALM   LXXXVIII. 


5  hell,  the  pit  standing  for  hell.  "  I  am  become  as  a  man 
that  has  no  strength,"  signifies  that  He  then  seemed  to 
Himself  as  without  power,  for  temptations  immerse  man 
into  evils  and  falses,  in  which  there  is  no  power.  Among 
the  dead,  neglected  signifies  among  those  in  whom  there 
is  nothing  of  truth  and  good,  and  who  are  therefore  re- 
jected. "As  the  slain  who  lie  in  the  sepulchre"  signifies 
as  those  who  are  in  falses  from  evil,  sepulchre  denoting 
hell,  the  slain  those  who  perish  by  falses,  because  they  who 
are  in  hell  are  spiritually  dead.  "Whom  thou  remem- 
berest  no  more,"  and  "who  are  cut  off  from  thy  hand," 
signifies  who  are  deprived  of  all  truth  and  good.  "  Thou 
hast  laid  me  in  the  pit  of  the  lower  parts"  signifies  in  the 
places  of  hell  where  such  are.  "In  darkness"  signifies 
as  it  were  in  falses,  in  "the  depths"  as  it  were  in  evils. 
Prayer  arising  from  grief  then  follows,  that  He  may  be 
delivered  from  the  temptations.  E.  659. 

5,  6,  11,  12.  In  the  opposite  sense  a  sepulchre  signifies 
death  or  hell.  A.  2916. 

5,  7.  The  subject  is  the  Lord's  temptations,  and  deliver- 
ance from  them.     See  also  Psalm  xxx.  4.  A.  4728. 

11.  "  Shall  the  Rephaim  —  dead  —  arise  and  praise  thee  ?  " 
This  likewise  is  said  of  the  hell  of  the  Rephaim,  and  sig- 
nifies that  they  cannot  rise  and  infest  the  sphere  of  the 
world  of  spirits  with  the  venom  of  their  most  dreadful 
persuasions,  but  that  it  has  been  provided  by  the  Lord 
that  the  human  race  should  no  longer  be  infected  with 
such  dreadful  fantasies  and  persuasions.  A.  581. 

By  the  dead  are  not  meant  the  dead  but  the  damned. 

A.  1673 
11-13.     God  has  no  glory  from  the  hells.  P.  P 

12.  Hell  and  the  devil  are  called  destruction  and  destroyer, 

R.  440 

15.     See  Psalm  xiii.  2.  A.  5585 

See  Psalm  xxvii.  8,  9.  R.  939 

See  Psalm  xiii.  2.  E.  412 


PSALM   LXXXIX.  325 

PSALM  LXXXIX. 

Maschil  of  Ethan  the  Ezrahite. 

I  will  sing  of  the  lovingkindness  of  Jehovah  for  ever; 
With  my  mouth  will  I  make  known  thy  faithfulness  to 

all  generations. 
For  I  have  said,  Mercy  shall  be  built  up  for  ever; 
Thy  faithfulness  wilt  thou  establish  in  the  very  heavens. 
I  have  made  a  covenant  with  my  chosen, 
I  have  sworn  unto  David  my  servant: 
Thy  seed  will  I  establish  for  ever, 
And  build  up  thy  throne  to  all  generations.         [Selah 
And  the  heavens  shall  praise  thy  wonders,  O  Jehovah; 
Thy  faithfulness  also  in  the  assembly  of  the  holy  ones. 
For  who  in  the  skies  can  be  compared  unto  Jehovah  ? 
Who  among  the  sons  of  the  mighty  is  like  unto  Jehovah, 
A  God  very  terrible  in  the  council  of  the  holy  ones, 
And  to  be  feared  above  all  them  that  are  round  about 

him? 

8.  O  Jehovah  God  of  hosts, 

Who  is  a  mighty  one,  like  unto  thee,  O  Jehovah  ? 
And  thy  faithfulness  is  round  about  thee. 

9.  Thou  rulest  the  pride  of  the  sea : 

When  the  waves  thereof  arise,  thou  stillest  them. 

10.  Thou  hast  broken  Rahab  in  pieces,  as  one  that  is  slain; 
Thou  hast  scattered  thine  enemies  with  the  arm  of  thy 

strength. 

11.  The  heavens  are  thine,  the  earth  also  is  thine: 

The  world  and  the  fulness  thereof,  thou  hast  founded 
them. 

12.  The  north  and  the  south,  thou  hast  created  them: 
Tabor  and  Hermon  rejoice  in  thy  name. 

13.  Thou  hast  a  mighty  arm; 

Strong  is  thy  hand,  and  high  is  thy  right  hand. 

14.  Righteousness  and  justice  are  the  foundation  of  thy 

throne : 
Lovingkindness  and  truth  go  before  thy  face. 

15.  Blessed  is  the  people  that  know  the  joyful  sound: 
They  walk,  O  Jehovah,  in  the  light  of  thy  countenance. 


326  PSALM    LXXXIX. 

16.  In  thy  name  do  they  rejoice  all  the  day; 
And  in  thy  righteousness  are  they  exalted. 

17.  For  thou  art  the  glory  of  their  strength; 
And  in  thy  favor  our  horn  shall  be  exalted. 

18.  For  our  shield  belongeth  unto  Jehovah; 
And  our  king  to  the  Holy  One  of  Israel. 

19.  Then  thou  spakest  in  vision  to  thy  saints, 

And  saidst,  I  have  laid  help  upon  one  that  is  mighty; 
I  have  exalted  one  chosen  out  of  the  people. 

20.  I  have  found  David  my  servant; 
With  my  holy  oil  have  I  anointed  him: 

21.  With  whom  my  hand  shall  be  established; 
Aline  arm  also  shall  strengthen  him. 

22.  The  enemy  shall  not  exact  from  him, 
Nor  the  son  of  wickedness  afflict  him. 

23.  And  I  will  beat  down  his  adversaries  before  him, 
And  smite  them  that  hate  him. 

24.  But  my  faithfulness  and  my  lovingkindness  shall  be 

with  him; 
And  in  my  name  shall  his  horn  be  exalted. 

25.  I  will  set  his  hand  also  on  the  sea, 
And  his  right  hand  on  the  rivers. 

26.  He  shall  cry  unto  me,  Thou  art  my  Father, 
My  God,  and  the  rock  of  my  salvation. 

27.  I  also  will  make  him  my  firstborn, 
The  highest  of  the  kings  of  the  earth. 

28.  My  lovingkindness  will  I  keep  for  him  for  evermore; 
And  my  covenant  shall  stand  fast  with  him. 

29.  His  seed  also  will  I  make  to  endure  for  ever, 
And  his  throne  as  the  days  of  heaven. 

30.  If  his  children  forsake  my  law, 
And  walk  not  in  mine  ordinances; 

31.  If  they  break  my  statutes, 

And  keep  not  my  commandments; 

32.  Then  will  I  visit  their  transgression  with  the  rod, 
And  their  iniquity  with  stripes. 

33.  But  my  lovingkindness  will  I  not  utterly  take  from 

him, 
Nor  suffer  my  faithfulness  to  fail. 


PSALM   LXXXIX. 


327 


34.  My  covenant  will  I  not  break, 

Nor  alter  the  thing  that  is  gone  out  of  my  lips. 

35.  Once  have  I  sworn  by  my  holiness: 
I  will  not  lie  unto  David: 

36.  His  seed  shall  endure  for  ever, 

And  his  throne  as  the  sun  before  me. 

37.  It  shall  be  established  for  ever  as  the  moon, 

And  as  the  faithful  witness  in  the  sky.  [Selah 

38.  But  thou  hast  cast  off  and  rejected, 
Thou  hast  been  wroth  with  thine  anointed. 

39.  Thou  hast  abhorred  the  covenant  of  thy  servant: 
Thou  hast  profaned  his  crown  by  casting  it  to  the 

ground. 

40.  Thou  hast  broken  down  all  his  hedges; 
Thou  hast  brought  his  strongholds  to  ruin. 

41.  All  that  pass  by  the  way  rob  him: 

He  is  become  a  reproach  to  his  neighbors. 

42.  Thou  hast  exalted  the  right  hand  of  his  adversaries; 
Thou  hast  made  all  his  enemies  to  rejoice. 

43.  Yea,  thou  turnest  back  the  edge  of  his  sword, 
And  hast  not  made  him  to  stand  in  the  battle. 

44.  Thou  hast  made  his  brightness  to  cease, 
And  cast  his  throne  down  to  the  ground. 

45.  The  days  of  his  youth  hast  thou  shortened: 

Thou  hast  covered  him  with  shame.  [Selah 

46.  How  long,  O  Jehovah  ?    wilt  thou  hide  thyself  forever  ? 
How  long  shall  thy  wrath  burn  like  fire  ? 

47.  Oh  remember  how  short  my  time  is: 

For  what  vanity  hast  thou  created  all  the  children  of 


men 


48.  What  man  is  he  that  shall  live  and  not  see  death, 
That  shall  deliver  his  soul  from  the  power  of  Sheol  ? 

[Selah 

49.  Lord,  where  are  thy  former  lovingkindnesses, 
Which  thou  swarest  unto  David  in  thy  faithfulness  ? 

50.  Remember,  Lord,  the  reproach  of  thy  servants; 
How  I  do  bear  in  my  bosom  the  reproach  of  all  the 

mighty  peoples, 


328  PSALM   LXXXIX. 

51.  Wherewith  thine  enemies  have  reproached,  0  Jehovah, 
Wherewith  they  have  reproached  the  footsteps  of  thine 

anointed. 

52.  Blessed  be  Jehovah  for  evermore. 
Amen,  and  Amen. 


Psalm   LXXXIX. 

1-3.     All  Divine  truth  is  from  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

2 j  3>  J5»     See  Psalm  xxv.  10.  A.  6180. 

See  Psalm  xxxvi.  6.  A.  10577. 

3-6.  These  things  also  are  spoken  concerning  the  Lord, 
and  not  concerning  David,  for  it  is  said  "  I  have  sworn  to 
David  my  servant,  thy  seed  will  I  establish  for  ever,  and 
build  up  thy  throne  to  all  generations"  which  is  not  ap- 
plicable to  David,  whose  seed  and  throne  are  not  estab- 
lished to  all  generations,  and  yet  Jehovah  sware,  and  an 
oath  of  Jehovah  is  irrevocable  confirmation  from  the 
Divine  Being.      m  E.  205. 

4.  That  the  compact  of  a  covenant  on  the  part  of  the  Lord 
is  mercy  and  election  is  evident.  A.  6804. 

4,  5.  This  also  is  concerning  the  Lord.  To  make  a  cov- 
enant with  the  chosen,  and  to  swear  unto  David  mean 
irrevocable  confirmation  or  eternal. truth.  David  stands 
for  the  Lord.  To  make  a  covenant  regards  the  Divine 
good,  to  swear  the  Divine  truth.  A.  2842. 

By  the  seed  of  David  is  not  meant  the  posterity  of  David 
as  a  father,  for  this  was  not  so  much  multiplied,  nor  of  so 
much  importance  that  it  should  be  multiplied  as  the  army 
of  the  heavens,  and  as  the  sand  of  the  sea,  but  by  David 
is  meant  the  Lord  as  to  Divine  truth,  thus  by  his  seed 
those  who  are  regenerated  or  born  of  the  Lord,  and  in  the 
abstract  sense  those  things  which  appertain  to  them  from 
the  Lord,  which  are  the  truths  of  faith  and  the  goods  of 
charity.  A.  10249. 

4,  5,  6.     Passages  concerning  the  coming  of  the  Lord  col- 


PSALM   LXXXIX.  329 

lected  from  the  prophecies  of  the  Old  Word.      Coro.  60. 

The  Divine  truth  is  from  Him  because  there  is  oneness 

with  the  Divine  Human.  P.  P. 

Verses  4  and  5  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  59. 

4-6,  20-22,  25-30,  36-38.  He  who  knows  that  the  Lord 
is  meant  by  David  may  know  why  David  in  his  Psalms 
wrote  so  often  concerning  the  Lord  when  concerning 
himself.  L.  44. 

4>  5>  J5»  3°«  By  the  throne  of  David  is  understood  heaven 
as  to  Divine  truth.  E.  253. 

4,  5,  20.  The  Divine  Human  is  the  Holy  spoken  of  in 
Luke  i.  in  Psalm  lxxxix.  also  Daniel  ix.  Ath.  41. 

4,  5,  20-22,  24,  26-30,  36-38.  By  David  in  this  Psalm  is 
not  understood  David,  but  the  Lord  as  to  His  royalty, 
which  is  the  Divine  spiritual,  and  is  called  Divine  truth. 
Verse  4  signifies  the  unition  of  the  Lord's  Divine  with  His 
Human.  To  make  a  covenant  means  unition,  to  swear 
confirmation  thereof,  elect  is  predicated  of  good,  servant 
of  truth.  Verse  5  signifies  Divine  truth,  heaven  and  the 
church  from  Him,  seed  Divine  truth  and  those  who 
receive  it,  throne  heaven  and  the  church.  Verse  20 
signifies  a  prophetic  arcanum  concerning  the  Lord.  The 
Divine  truth  whereby  Divine  good  operates  all  things  is 
called  a  help  upon  one  that  is  mighty.  The  exaltation  of 
one  chosen  out  of  the  people  means  Divine  majesty  and 
power  thence  derived.  Verse  21  signifies  the  Lord  as  to 
the  Divine  Human,  and  union  with  the  essential  Divine, 
which  union  in  the  New  Testament  is  called  glorification, 
and  is  understood  by  the  anointing.  The  oil  of  holiness 
signifies  the  Divine  good  of  the  Divine  love,  anointed  to 
be  united  to  Divine  truth,  which  appertained  to  the  Lord's 
human  in  the  world.  Verse  22  signifies  omnipotence 
thence  derived,  hand  omnipotence  of  truth  from  good, 
the  arm  omnipotence  of  good  by  truth.  Verse  24  signifies 
combat  attended  with  victory  against  evils  and  falsities, 
thus  the  hells.     Verse  26  signifies  the  extension  of  His 


330  PSALM    LXXXIX. 

26  dominion  and  kingdom  over  all  things  of  heaven  and  the 
church.  Verse  27  signifies  the  Divine  Human  which  is 
the  Son  of  God  conceived  of  the  essential  Divine,  and 
afterwards  born.  Divine  truth  and  Divine  power  was 
thence  derived  to  the  Lord's  human,  He  is  also  called 
God,  and  the  rock  of  salvation.  Verse  28  signifies  that 
He  is  above  all  the  good  and  truth  of  heaven  and  the 
church,  because  they  are  from  Him.  Verses  29  and  30, 
the  days  of  heaven  denote  the  states  of  the  whole  heaven, 
which  are  from  His  Divine.  Verse  36  signifies  eternal 
confirmation,  because  from  the  Divine,  concerning  the 
Lord,  and  the  union  of  His  Human  with  the  Essential 
Divine.  Verse  37  and  38  signify  similar  things  as  above 
where  treating  of  His  seed  and  throne.  Of  the  sun  is 
predicated  eternity  as  to  Divine  good,  of  the  moon  as  to 
Divine  truth.  A  faithful  witness  in  the  clouds  means 
acknowledgment  and  confession  from  the  Word  concern- 
ing the  Divine  in  the  Human  of  the  Lord.  E.  684. 

4,  5,  12.     The  Lord  is  meant  by  David.  R.  3. 

See  Psalm  xxvii.  9.  E.  409. 

4,  5,  29.  By  David  is  here  understood  the  Lord  as  to  His 
royalty  or  kingly  office.  E.  701. 

4>  5>  30.     See  Psalm  xxi.  11.  R.  565. 

4>  5>  3°>  37«  That  faith  in  the  Lord  is  meant  by  the  seed 
of  the  woman  appears  from  the  signification  of  woman, 
which  is  the  church.  By  David  is  meant  the  Lord,  by 
the  throne  His  kingdom,  by  the  sun  love,  by  seed  faith. 

A-  255. 

By  David  in  the  Word  is  understood  the  Lord  as  to  His 

royalty,  which  is  the  Divine  truth  in  the  Lord's  spiritual 

kingdom.  E.  768. 

4,  36.  That  Jehovah,  that  is  the  Lord,  sware  by  Himself 
signifies  that  the  Divine  truth  testifies,  for  He  is  the  Di- 
vine truth,  and  this  testifies  from  itself  and  by  itself. 

R.  474. 

4>  36,  50.     Since  to  swear  is  only  what  is  external  corre- 


PSALM   LXXXIX.  331 

sponding  to  the  confirmation  of  the  mind  of  the  internal 
man,  and  hence  is  significative  thereof,  therefore  in  the 
Word  of  the  Old  Testament  it  is  said  to  be  lawful  to  swear 
by  God,  and  even  God  himself  is  said  to  swear.  This 
signifies  confirmation,  asseveration,  and  simply  the  verity 
of  a  thing.  E.  608. 

7.     See  Psalm  xviii.  3,  29,  30,  32.     Add:  For  this  reason, 

every  angel  or  spirit  that  spake  with  men,  and  whom  they 

believed  to  have  any  power,  they  called  God.        A.  300. 

See  Psalm  lxxxii.  1,  6.  A.  4295. 

7-9.     See  Psalm  xxix..  1.  A.  4402. 

See  Psalm  xxix.  1.  A.  7268. 

7-10,  14.     Thus  the  Lord  has  all  power.  P.  P. 

10.  By  sea  is  here  signified  the  natural  man,  because  in  the 
natural  man  are  the  common  or  general  things  of  truth. 
By  the  rising  of  its  waves  is  signified  its  exalting  itself 
against  the  Divine,  denying  the  things  which  are  of  the 
church.  E.  275. 

11-15.     All  of  heaven  and  the  church  is  from  Him.     P.  P. 

12.     See  Psalm  xxiv.  1,  2.  A.  6297. 

See  Psalm  ix.  9.  R.  551. 

By  founding  the  globe  and  the  earth  is  signified  to  es- 
tablish the  church.  R.  589. 
By  the  heavens  and  the  earth  is  signified  the  church  in 
the  heavens  and  in  the  earths  each  as  to  truths.  By  the 
world  and  the  fulness  thereof  is  signified  the  church  in  the 
heavens  and  in  the  earths  each  as  to  goods,  fulness  stand- 
ing for  goods  and  truths  in  their  complex.  E.  741. 
By  the  heaven  and  the  earth  is  signified  the  church, 
by  the  world  the  church  as  to  good,  and  by  the  fulness 
thereof,  all  the  goods  and  truths  of  the  church.     E.  1057. 

12,  13.     See  Psalm  xlviii.  2,  3.  A.  3708. 

By  the  heavens,  the  earth,  and  the  world  is  signified 
the  church,  by  fulness  all  the  truth  and  good  which  con- 
stitute the  church,  by  the  north  those  therein  who  are  in 
an  obscure  state  as  to  truth,  by  the  right  hand  those  who 


332  PSALM   LXXXIX. 

12  are  in  the  light  of  truth  from  good,  thus  the  same  as  by 
the  south.  A.  10061. 

By  the  heavens  and  the  earths  are  understood  the  su- 
perior and  inferior  heavens,  also  the  internal  and  external 
church,  by  the  world  and  the  fulness  thereof  the  heavens 
and  the  church  in  general  as  to  good  and  as  to  truth,  by 
the  world  as  to  good,  and  by  the  fulness  thereof  as  to 
truth.  Since  these  principles,  or  those  who  are  in  them, 
are  in  the  north  and  in  the  south,  and  the  south  is  at  the 
right  hand  of  the  Lord,  therefore  it  is  said  the  north  and 
the  right  hand.  Since  such  is  the  quality  of  Divine  truth 
united  to  Divine  good  in  those  quarters  from  the  founda- 
tion of  the  world,  it  is  therefore  said  thou  hast  founded, 
and  thou  hast  created  them.  E.  600. 

13-15.  That  by  the  right  hand  is  here  understood  the 
south  is  evident.  By  the  south  is  signified  the  Divine 
truth  in  light,  thus  in  the  supreme  sense,  in  which  the 
Lord  is  spoken  of,  it  signifies  omnipotence  and  omni- 
science, wThich  Divine  good  has  by  Divine  truth.     E.  298. 

14.  See  Luke  xxii.  69,  at  the  right  hand  of  power  signifies 
the  omnipotence  of  the  Lord,  the  right  hand  means 
power.  A.  7518. 

Divine  power  or  omnipotence  is  also  signified  by  the 

right  hand.  .  A.  8281. 

That  the  right  hand  signifies  Divine  power  is  manifest. 

A.  10019. 

15.  Justice  stands  for  the  good  which  is  of  mercy,  and 
judgment  for  the  truth  winch  is  of  faith,  hence  it  is  also 
said  mercy  and  truth.  A.  9857. 

See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  S.  85. 

See  Psalm  xxxvii.  6.  W.  38. 

The  Lord  is  the  Divine  good  and  the  Divine  truth. 
The  former  is  signified  by  justice,  and  the  latter  by  judg- 
ment. R.  668. 

See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  T.  51. 

I  spoke  with  clergymen  and  laymen,  who  had  gathered 


psalm  lxxxix.  333 

together  concerning  the  Divine  omnipotence.  They  said 
that  omnipotence  is  unlimited,  and  that  limited  omni- 
potence is  a  contradiction.  To  which  it  was  answered 
that  there  is  no  contradiction  in  acting  omnipotently 
according  to  laws  of  justice  with  judgment,  and  that  there 
is  no  contradiction  in  acting  omnipotently  according  to 
the  laws  of  love  from  wisdom.  Ind.  viii. 

1 6.     See  Psalm  iv.  7.  A.  10579. 

See  Numbers  x.  1-10.  From  the  uses  of  trumpets 
among  the  children  of  Israel,  it  may  also  be  seen  what  is 
signified  by  trumpets  and  by  sounding  them  in  Joel  ii. 
1,  2:  Zechariah  ix.  14.  (Swedenborg  translates:  Blessed 
is  the  people  that  know  the  trumpet  sound,  instead  of 
joyful  sound,  or  joyful  shout.)  R.  397. 

See  Psalm  iv.  7.  R.  939. 

See  Psalm  iv.  7.  E.  412. 

By  the  sound  of  the  trumpet  is  signified  Divine  truth 

gladdening  the  heart.  E.  502. 

16-19.     Happy  is  he  who  trusts  in  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

18.     See  Psalm  xviii.  2,  3.  R.  270. 

By  the  horn  being  exalted  is  here  signified  to  be  rilled 

with  Divine  truth,   and  thereby  to  give  power  against 

falsities.  E.  316. 

18,  19.     The  Holy  One  of  Israel  is  the  Lord.         A.  3305. 

18,  19,  25,  26.  Our  horn  and  His  horn  manifestly  stand 
for  the  power  of  truth.  The  Lord's  spiritual  kingdom 
is  here  treated  of.  Our  king  belongs  to  the  Holy  One  of 
Israel,  means  that  Divine  truth  belongs  to  the  Lord.  To 
put  His  hand  on  the  sea,  and  His  right  hand  on  the  rivers, 
means  that  strength  is  in  the  external  and  internal  knowl- 
edges of  truth.  A.  2832. 

19.  Since  the  Lord  alone  is  holy,  therefore  He  is  called  the 
Holy  One  of  Israel.  A.  9229. 

See  Psalm  lxxi.  22.  A.  9680. 

Jehovah  and  the  Holy  One  of  Israel.     D.  P.,  Page  63. 

20-26.     The  Father  to  the  Lord,  or  His  Divine  to  His 


334  PSALM  LXXXIX. 

Human:  that  by  oneness  with  Him  He  has  omnipotence 

over  the  hells.  P.  P. 

20-38.     Verses  20,  22,  26,  27,  28,  30,  37,  38  partly  quoted. 

D.  P.,  Page  59. 

20,  26-30.     See  Psalm  ii.  2,  6.  A.  9954. 
Here  by  David  is  understood  the  Lord,  by  the  holy  oil 

with  which  Jehovah  anointed  Him  is  signified  the  Divine 
good  of  the  Divine  love.  E.  375. 

21.  By  David  is  meant  the  Lord.  A.  9954. 
That  they  afterwards  anointed  kings,  and  that  they  were 

called  the  anointed  of  Jehovah  see  i.  Samuel  x.  1;  xv.  1. 
ii.  Samuel  i.  16,  etc.  E.  375. 

21,  22,  25.     See  Psalm  xviii.  2,  3.  R.  270. 

By  David  is  understood  the  Lord  as  to  Divine  truth. 
By  his  horn  being  exalted  is  understood  His  Divine  power, 
which  He  has  from  Divine  good  by  Divine  truth.  Mercy 
in  the  Word  when  predicated  of  Jehovah,  or  the  Lord, 
signifies  the  Divine  good  of  the  Divine  love.  By  servant 
is  not  understood  a  servant  in  the  ordinary  sense,  but 
whatsoever  serves.  It  is  therefore  predicated  of  truth, 
because  this  serves  good  for  use,  and  in  this  case  for 
power.  E.  316. 

21,  26,  28-30.  By  David,  by  anointed,  and  by  king,  as  in 
other  passages  of  the  Psalms,  the  Lord  is  understood, 
which  may  be  clearly  seen  by  those  who  understand  the 
Word  spiritually,  but  obscurely  by  those  who  understand 
it  only  naturally.  E.  205. 

2I>  39)  52«  The  reason  why  they  anointed  kings  was  that 
they  might  represent  the  Lord  as  to  judgment  from  Divine 
truth,  wherefore  in  the  Word  by  kings  are  represented 

A.  9954 

R.  779 

A.  3122 

A.  6180 

R.  409 

This  is  said  of  David  bv  whom  the  Lord  is  understood 


Divine  truths. 

See  Psalm  ii.  2, 

6. 

25. 

See  Psalm  lxi.  £ 

25,  34- 

See  Psalm  xxv. 

10. 

26. 

See  Psalm  xxiv. 

2. 

PSALM   LXXXIX.  335 

The  power  of  the  Lord  even  to  the  ultimates  of  heaven 
and  the  church,  thus  over  the  whole  heaven,  and  over 
everything  of  the  church  is  signified  by  setting  his  hand  in 
the  sea,  and  his  right  hand  in  the  rivers.  That  the  ulti- 
mates of  heaven  are  seas  and  rivrers  has  been  frequently 
shown.  These  were  represented  by  the  two  seas  and  by 
the  two  rivers  which  formed  the  boundaries  of  the  land  of 
Canaan.  E.  518. 

26,  27.     Speaking  of  power  from  truths.  A.  4402. 

26-28.  In  the  whole  of  this  Psalm  the  Lord  who  was  to 
come  is  treated  of,  wherefore  it  is  He  who  should  call 
Jehovah  His  Father,  and  who  should  be  the  First-born, 
thus  who  is  the  Son  of  God.  L.  19. 

26,  28-30.  Passages  which  speak  more  openly  of  the  com- 
ing of  the  Lord.  L.  6. 

27.  See  Psalm  lxxviii.  16,  20,  35.  Inv.  35. 

27,  28.  All  love  is  of  the  Lord,  and  no  whit  of  love  is  of 
man,  wherefore  the  Lord  alone  is  the  First-born.  In 
respect  to  the  Lord  being  the  First-born  of  all  as  to  His 
Human  essence,  it  is  thus  written.  A.  352. 

By  rock  is  understood  Divine  truth  from  the  Lord,  or 
the  Lord  himself.  E.  411. 

27-30.     That  the  Lord  as  to  the  Divine  Human  is  the  First- 
born is  evident  from  David.  A.  3325. 
27-30,  36-38.     There  will  be  eternal  oneness  with  Him. 

P.  P. 

28.  The  first-born  is  what  truth  from  good,  and  thus  what 
the  understanding  from  the  will  first  produces,  because 
truth  is  of  the  understanding,  and  good  is  of  the  will. 
This  first  thing,  because  it  is  as  the  seed  from  which  the 
rest  proceed,  is  the  primary.  In  regard  to  the  Lord,  He 
is  the  First-born  from  the  dead,  because  He  is  also,  as  to 
His  Human,  the  truth  itself  united  to  the  Divine  good, 
from  which  all  men,  who  are  in  themselves  dead,  live. 

R.  17. 
Since  the  Lord  as  to  His  Divine  Humanity  is  called  the 


336  PSALM   LXXXIX. 

First-born,  by  reason  that  all  good  proceeds  from  Him, 
therefore  all  the  first-born  in  the  Israelitish  church  were 
holy  to  Jehovah.  E.  28. 

28,  29,  35.  Speaking  of  the  Lord.  My  covenant  shall  be 
stable  to  Him  means  the  union  of  the  Divine  itself  and 
the  Divine  Human,  thus  it  also  stands  for  the  Word,  for 
the  Lord  as  to  the  Divine  Human  was  the  Word  which 
was  made  flesh.  A.  9396. 

30.  That  all  things  of  the  Word  are  meant  by  the  law  in  the 
widest  sense.     See  John  xii.  34.     This  is  here  written. 

L.  10. 
The  foregoing  statement  repeated  in  T.  262. 

The  foregoing  statement  also  repeated  in  T.  288. 

3 1~33-  That  the  laws  enacted  by  the  Lord  and  commanded 
the  sons  of  Israel  were  distinguished  into  commandments 
which  relate  to  life,  into  judgments  which  relate  to  the 
civil  state,  and  into  statutes  which  relate  to  worship  is 
plain.  A.  8972. 

By  commandments  are  understood  the  laws  of  life,  es- 
pecially those  which  are  in  the  decalogue,  which  are  there- 
fore called  the  ten  precepts.  By  statutes  are  understood 
the  laws  of  worship,  which  principally  relate  to  sacrifices, 
and  the  ministry  of  holy  things.  By  judgments  are  under- 
stood civil  laws,  wThich  being  representative  of  spiritual 
laws,  were  therefore  significative  of  Divine  truths,  such 
as  are  in  the  spiritual  kingdom  of  the  Lord  in  the  heavens. 

E.  946. 

31-38.  Even  if  those  of  the  church  should  fail  there  will 
be  eternal  oneness  with  Him.  P.  P. 

35,  36.  David  stands  for  the  Lord.  The  Divine  good  here 
has  regard  to  the  covenant.  The  thing  that  has  gone  out 
of  my  lips,  has  regard  to  the  Divine  truth,  this  on  account 
of  the  marriage  of  good  and  truth  which  is  in  everything 
of  the  Word.  A.  2842. 

35-38.  These  things  are  spoken  concerning  the  Lord. 
This  is  evident  from  the  whole  of  the  Psalm,  for  His  com- 


PSALM   LXXXIX. 


337 


ing  is  here  treated  of,  and  afterwards  the  rejection  of  Him 
by  the  Jewish  nation.  E.  205. 

37,  38.     This  is  said  of  David,  but  by  David  the  Lord  is 
here  meant.  R.  53. 

Concerning  the  Lord,  and  concerning  heaven  and  His 
church.  By  His  seed  which  shall  continue  for  ever  are 
signified  the  Divine  truth,  and  also  all  those  who  shall 
receive  it.  By  His  throne  which  shall  endure  as  the  sun 
are  signified  heaven  and  His  church  which  are  in  celestial 
good,  which  is  the  good  of  love.  By  His  throne  which 
shall  be  established  as  the  moon  for  ever,  is  signified 
heaven  and  the  church  which  are  in  spiritual  good,  which 
is  the  Divine  truth.  By  a  faithful  witness  in  the  heavens 
is  signified  the  Word  in  the  literal  sense,  which  is  called 
a  witness  because  it  testifies,  and  because  the  heavens,  or 
the  clouds  signify  the  literal  sense  of  the  Word.  E.  401. 
By  the  seed  which  shall  endure  for  ever  is  signified  the 
Divine  truth  which  is  from  Him,  by  the  throne  heaven  and 
the  church,  as  to  the  good  of  love  and  as  to  the  truth  of 
faith.  A  faithful  witness  in  the  clouds  signifies  that  He 
is  the  Divine  truth,  for  witness  when  predicated  of  the 
Lord  signifies  that  which  proceeds  from  Him,  and  this 
being  of  Him  witnesses  concerning  Him.  E.  594. 

38.  See  Psalm  lxviii.  5.  E.  36. 

39,  40.  Anointed  stands  for  the  Lord,  anger  for  a  state  of 
temptation  in  which  He  was  when  in  combats  with  the 
hells,  lamentation  is  described  by  anger  and  damnation, 
as  the  last  lamentation  of  the  Lord  that  He  was  forsaken. 

A.  9930. 

The  wisdom  which  is  from  the  knowledges  of  truth  and 
good  from  the  Word,  and  from  a  life  according  to  them  is 
signified  by  a  crown.  E.  126. 

By  thine  anointed  is  understood  the  Lord,  and  by  being 
wroth  a  state  of  temptation  in  which  He  was  when  in  com- 
bats wTith  the  hells.  The  lamentation  of  that  state  is  de- 
scribed by  anger  and  damnation,  as  was  the  case  in  the 


338  PSALM  LXXXIX. 

39  last  temptation  on  the  cross,  when  the  Lord  lamented  that 
He  was  forsaken,  for  the  cross  was  the  last  of  His  tempta- 
tions or  combats  with  the  hells.  After  that  last  tempta- 
tion He  put  on  the  Divine  good  of  the  Divine  love,  and 
thus  united  the  Divine  Humanity  to  the  very  or  essential 
Divinity  which  was  in  Himself.  E.  272. 

39-43.  Of  the  Jewish  nation.  It  has  destroyed  conjunc- 
tion with  Him,  because  it  has  destroyed  the  church.    P.  P. 

40.     By  a  crown  is  signified  wisdom.  R.  189. 

43.  The  right  hand,  in  the  opposite  sense,  signifies  falsity 
from  evil,  and  reasoning  and  combat  thereof  against  truth 
derived  from  good.  E.  298. 

44-46.     It  has  utterly  repudiated  Him.  P.  P. 

47-49.  Prayer  to  the  Father  that  unless  He  assist,  no  one 
will  have  eternal  life.  P.  P. 

48,  50.  To  create  or  make  a  man  signifies  to  reform  him  by 
Divine  truth.  E.  294. 

50.  Unless  oneness  is  effected.  P.  P. 
50-52.     The  hells  will  otherwise  prevail.  P.  P. 

51.  In  my  bosom,  meaning  with  himself,  as  his  own. 

A.  6960. 

53.     See  Psalm  xxvih.  6.  A.  1096. 

See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  R.  289. 

See  Psalm  xli.  14.  .  E.  228. 

He  assists.  P.  P. 


PSALM  XC. 

A  Prayer  of  Moses  the  man  of  God. 

Lord,  thou  hast  been  our  dwelling-place 

In  all  generations. 

Before  the  mountains  were  brought  forth, 

Or  ever  thou  hadst  formed  the  earth  and  the  world, 

Even  from  everlasting  to  everlasting,  thou  art  God. 

Thou  turnest  man  to  destruction, 

And  sayest,  Return,  ye  children  of  men. 


PSALM   XC. 


339 


For  a  thousand  years  in  thy  sight 

Are  but  as  yesterday  when  it  is  past, 

And  as  a  watch  in  the  night. 

Thou  carriest  them  away  as  with  a  flood;  they  are  as 
a  sleep: 

In  the  morning  they  are  like  grass  which  groweth  up. 

In  the  morning  it  flourisheth,  and  groweth  up; 

In  the  evening  it  is  cut  down,  and  withereth. 

For  we  are  consumed  in  thine  anger, 

And  in  thy  wrath  are  we  troubled. 

Thou  hast  set  our  iniquities  before  thee, 

Our  secret  sins  in  the  light  of  thy  countenance. 

For  all  our  days  are  passed  away  in  thy  wrath : 

We  bring  our  years  to  an  end  as  a  sigh. 
10.     The  days  of  our  years  are  threescore  years  and  ten, 

Or  even  by  reason  of  strength  fourscore  years; 

Yet  is  their  pride  but  labor  and  sorrow; 

For  it  is  soon  gone,  and  we  fly  away. 
ii.     Who  knoweth  the  power  of  thine  anger, 

And  thy  wrath  according  to  the  fear  that  is  due  unto 
thee? 

12.  So  teach  us  to  number  our  days, 
That  we  may  get  us  a  heart  of  wisdom. 

13.  Return,  O  Jehovah;  how  long? 

And  let  it  repent  thee  concerning  thy  servants. 

14.  Oh  satisfy  us  in  the  morning  with  thy  lovingkindness, 
That  we  may  rejoice  and  be  glad  all  our  days. 

15.  Make  us  glad  according  to  the  days  wherein  thou  hast 

afflicted  us, 
And  the  years  wherein  we  have  seen  evil. 

16.  Let  thy  wTork  appear  unto  thy  servants, 
And  thy  glory  upon  their  children. 

17.  And  let  the  favor  of  the  Lord  our  God  be  upon  us; 
And  establish  thou  the  work  of  our  hands  upon  us; 
Yea,  the  work  of  our  hands  establish  thou  it. 


34-0  PSALM   XC. 


Psalm  XC. 


i.    See  Psalm  xxvi.  8.  A.  9481. 

1-6.  Man  is  nothing  of  himself,  but  the  Lord  alone  (is  of 
Himself).  P.  P. 

2.  By  the  mountains  born,  and  by  the  earth  formed,  and 
by  the  orb  is  not  meant  the  creation  of  the  world,  but  the 
establishment  of  the  church,  hence  from  age  to  age  sig- 
nifies from  the  establishment  of  churches  to  their  end,  for 
churches  succeed  one  another,  since  when  one  is  finished 
or  vastated,  another  is  established.  A  mountain  stands 
for  celestial  love,  consequently  the  church  which  is  in 
that  love.  A.  10248. 

The  reason  why  eternity  is  not  mentioned,  but  that  it 
is  said  "from  everlasting  to  everlasting"  is  because  the 
latter  is  a  natural  expression,  and  the  former  spiritual, 
and  the  literal  sense  of  the  Word  is  natural,  and  the  in- 
ternal sense  spiritual,  and  the  latter  is  contained  in  the 
former.  E.  468. 

By  the  mountains  are  signified  those  who  dwell  upon 
mountains  in  the  heavens,  who  are  those  that  are  in  celes- 
tial good,  but  by  the  earth  and  the  world  is  signified  the 
church  from  those  who  are  in  truths  and  in  goods.  E.  741. 
4.  A  thousand  years  stands  for  what  is  without  time,  thus 
for  eternity,  which  is  infinity  of  time.  A.  2575. 

By  yesterday  is  signified  eternity.  A.  6983. 

See  Psalm  lxviii.  18.  A.  8715. 

In  the  Divine  idea  there  is  not  time,  but  all  things  past 
and  future  are  present.  R.  4. 

God  is  everywhere  present  in  the  whole  world,  and  yet 
not  anything  proper  to  the  world  is  in  Him,  that  is  not 
anything  that  is  of  space  or  time.  T.  30. 

Verse  partly  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  32. 

6.  Evening  is  the  last  state  of  the  church,  when  there  is 
dense  falsity  because  there  is  no  faith,  and  dense  evil  be- 
cause there  is  no  charity.  A.  7844. 


PSALM   XC.  34T 

See  Psalm  xxx.  6.  C.  J.  13. 

7-1 1.     The  church  perishes.  P.  P. 

8.     See  Psalm  xxvii.  8,  9.  R.  939. 

In  this  passage  the  light  of  Jehovah's  countenance  sig- 
nifies the  light  of  heaven  issuing  from  the  Lord  as  a  sun. 
This  light  is  essential  Divine  truth  from  which  are  all 
intelligence  and  wisdom,  therefore  whatever  comes  into 
it,  the  quality  thereof  is  manifested  as  in  clear  day.  Hence 
it  is  that  when  the  evil  come  into  tins  light  they  appear  al- 
together according  to  their  real  quality,  deformed  and 
monstrous  according  to  the  evils  concealed  in  them. 
From  these  considerations  it  is  evident  what  is  understood 
by,  "Thou  hast  set  our  iniquities  before  thee,  and  our 
secret  sins  in  the  light  of  thy  countenance."  E.  412. 

11,  12.  To  number  days  means  to  ordain  and  arrange 
states  of  life.  Days  are  said  to  be  numbered  when  they 
are  ordained  and  arranged,  thus  when  they  are  finished. 

A.  10217. 

12.  To  number  signifies  to  know  the  quality  from  the  least 
to  the  greatest,  and  according  thereto  to  arrange  and  dis- 
pose, that  is  to  provide.  E.  453. 

12,  13.     Unless  restored  by  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

14.     See  Psalm  lxiii.  2.  E.  179. 

By  means  of  His  coming.  P.  P. 

14,  15.     See  Psalm  li.  10.  S.  87. 

See  Psalm  xl.  17.  E.  660. 

14-17.     Thence  is  salvation.  P.  P. 


342  PSALM   XCI. 


PSALM  XCI. 

i .     He  that  dwelleth  in  the  secret  place  of  the  Most  High 
Shall  abide  under  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty. 

2.  I  will  say  of  Jehovah,  He  is  my  refuge  and  my  fortress; 
My  God,  in  whom  I  trust. 

3.  For  he  will  deliver  thee  from  the  snare  of  the  fowler, 
And  from  the  deadly  pestilence. 

4.  He  will  cover  thee  with  his  pinions, 

And  under  his  wings  shait  thou  take  refuge: 
His  truth  is  a  shield  and  a  buckler. 

5.  Thou  shalt  not  be  afraid  for  the  terror  by  night, 
Nor  for  the  arrow  that  flieth  by  day; 

6.  For  the  pestilence  that  walketh  in  darkness, 
Nor  for  the  destruction  that  wasteth  at  noonday. 

7.  A  thousand  shall  fall  at  thy  side, 
And  ten  thousand  at  thy  right  hand; 
But  it  shall  not  come  nigh  thee. 

8.  Only  with  thine  eyes  shalt  thou  behold, 
And  see  the  reward  of  the  wicked. 

9.  For  thou,  O  Jehovah,  art  my  refuge! 

Thou  hast  made  the  Most  High  thy  habitation; 

10.  There  shall  no  evil  befall  thee, 

Neither  shall  any  plague  come  nigh  thy  tent. 

11.  For  he  will  give  his  angels  charge  over  thee, 
To  keep  thee  in  all  thy  ways.     - 

12.  They  shall  bear  thee  up  in  their  hands, 
Lest  thou  dash  thy  foot  against  a  stone. 

13.  Thou  shalt  tread  upon  the  lion  and  adder: 

The  young  lion  and  the  serpent  shalt  thou  trample 
under  foot. 

14.  Because  he  hath  set  his  love  upon  me,  therefore  will 

I  deliver  him: 
I  will  set  him  on  high,  because  he  hath  known  my 
name. 

15.  He  shall  call  upon  me,  and  I  will  answer  him; 
I  will  be  with  him  in  trouble: 

I  will  deliver  him,  and  honor  him. 

16.  With  long  life  will  I  satisfy  him, 
And  show  him  my  salvation. 


PSALM  xci.  343 


Psalm  XCI. 

1.  Song  in  praise  of  the  Father  by  the  Lord,  who  is  to  be 
made  one  with  Him.  P.  P. 

2-6.     Thus  there  will  be  protection  from  every  attack. 

P.  P. 

2,  4.  A  shield  and  a  buckler  stands  for  protection  from 
falsities.  A.  1788. 

4.         See  Psalm  .xvii.  8.  A.  8764. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  8.  R.  245. 

See  Psalm  v.  13.  R.  436. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  8.  E.  283. 

4,  5.     See  Psalm  xi.  2.  A.  2709. 

The  pestilence  that  walketh  in  darkness  stands  for  the 
evil  which  lays  waste  in  secret.  The  destruction  that 
wasteth  at  noonday,  for  the  evil  which  lays  waste  openly. 

A.  7505. 

5,  6.  Not  to  fear  for  the  destruction  that  wasteth  in  the 
south,  means  not  to  be  afraid  because  of  the  damnation 
which  comes  upon  those  who  are  in  knowledges  and  per- 

V  vert  them.  A.  1458. 

The  terror  by  night  stands  for  falsities  of  evil  which  are 
from  hell,  the  arrow  that  flieth  by  day  for  falsity  that  is 
openly  taught,  whereby  good  is  destroyed;  the  destruc- 
tion that  wasteth  at  noonday  for  evil  that  is  lived  in  openly, 
whereby  truth  is  destroyed.  A.  6000. 

The  terror  by  night  stands  for  falsity  which  is  in  secret, 
the  arrow  that  flieth  by  day  for  falsity  which  is  seen,  the 
pestilence  that  walketh  in  darkness  for  evil  which  is  in 
secret,  the  destruction  that  wasteth  at  noon-day  for  evil 
which  is  seen.  A.  7102. 

The  terror  of  night  stands  for  the  falses  of  evil  which 
are  from  hell,  the  weapon  which  flies  by  day  for  the  falses 
which  are  openly  taught.  The  death  which  vastates  in 
the  south  stands  for  the  evil  which  is  openly  lived  in, 


344  PSALM  XCI. 

whereby  truth  is  destroyed  where  it  is  capable  of  being 

in  its  light  from  the  Word.  A.  9642. 

See  Psalm  ix.  14.  E.  186. 

5-7.     See  Psalm  lxviii.  18.  R.  287. 

These  things  are  said  against  the  falsities  and  evils 
which  are  not  known  to  be  such,  and  concerning  those 
which  are  known  to  be  such  and  yet  creep  into  the  thought 
and  will  and  destroy  man.  The  destruction  of  those  evils 
is  signified  by,  "a  thousand  shall  fall  at  thy  side,"  and 
the  destruction  of  the  falsities  by,  "and  myriads  at  thy 
right  hand."  The  reason  why  a  thousand  is  predicated 
of  evils,  and  myriads  of  falsities  is  because  falsities  are 
opposed  to  truths,  and  evils  to  goods.  '  E.  336. 

7.  A  thousand  and  a  myriad  stand  for  what  is  innumer- 
able, and  as  it  is  concerning  the  Lord,  who  is  meant  by 
David  in  the  Psalms,  it  stands  for  all  who  are  His  enemies 

A.  2575 
See  Psalm  lxviii.  18.  A.  8715 

7-9.     Thus  there  will  be  no  uprising  of  the  hells.        P.  P 

9.  See  Psalm  xxvi.  8.  A.  9481 

9,  10.     See  Psalm  xv.  1,  2.  R.  585 

By  the  habitation  of  Jehovah  and  by  His  tabernacle  is 
signified  heaven  and  the  church,  by  habitation  both  as  to 
truths  and  by  tabernacle  both  as  to  goods.  The  re- 
moval of  evils  and  protection  from  them  is  signified  by 
making  the  Most  High  his  dwelling,  and  by  no  evil  be- 
falling him,  nor  plague  coming  nigh  him.  E.  799. 

10,  See  Psalm  xxxix.  11.  R.  657. 
not  even  against  the  church.  P.  P. 

11,  12.     Thus  heaven  will  serve  Him.  P.  P. 
13.     See  Psalm  lvii.  5.                                               A.  6367. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  12.  R.  241. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  12.  E.  278. 

By  treading  upon  the  lion,  the  asp,  serpents,  and  scor- 
pions is  understood  not  only  to  destroy  them,  but  also  not 
to  be  hurt  by  them.  E.  632. 


psalm  xcn.  345 

13,  14.     See  Psalm  xliv.  19,  20.  R.  537. 

To  destroy  falses  interior  and  exterior  which  vastate 
the  truths  of  the  church  is  signified  by  treading  under  foot 
the  lion  and  dragon.  To  withdraw  from  falses  and  to 
lead  to  interior  truths  and  goods  him  who  is  in  doctrine 
from  the  Word  is  signified  by,  I  will  deliver  him.  To 
deliver  is  to  withdraw  from  falses,  to  exalt  is  to  lead  to 
interior  truths.  To  know  my  name  is  to  be  in  doctrine 
from  the  Word.  E.  714. 

13-16.  There  will  be  no  fear  from  the  hells,  when  the  Di- 
vine has  been  made  one  with  the  Human.  P.  P. 

15.     See  Psalm  iv.  2.  R.  376. 

See  Psalm  iv.  2.  E.  471. 


PSALM  XCIL 

A  Psalm,  a  Song  for  the  sabbath  day. 

i.     It  is  a  good  thing  to  give  thanks  unto  Jehovah, 
And  to  sing  praises  unto  thy  name,  O  Most  High; 

2.  To  show  forth  thy  lovingkindness  in  the  morning, 
And  thy  faithfulness  every  night, 

3.  With  an  instrument  of  ten  strings,  and  with  the  psaltery, 
With  a  solemn  sound  upon  the  harp. 

4.  For  thou,  Jehovah,  hast  made  me  glad  through  thy 

work: 
I  will  triumph  in  the  works  of  thy  hands. 

5.  How  great  are  thy  works,  O  Jehovah! 
Thy  thoughts  are  very  deep. 

6.  A  brutish  man  knoweth  not; 
Neither  doth  a  fool  understand  this : 

7.  When  the  wicked  spring  as  the  grass, 

And  when  all  the  workers  of  iniquity  do  flourish; 
It  is  that  they  shall  be  destroyed  for  ever. 

8.  But  thou,  O  Jehovah,  art  on  high  for  evermore. 

9.  For,  lo,  thine  enemies,  O  Jehovah, 
For,  lo,  thine  enemies  shall  perish; 

All  the  workers  of  iniquity  shall  be  scattered. 


346  PSALM   XCII. 

10.  But  my  horn  hast  thou  exalted  like  the  horn  of  the 

wild-ox: 
I  am  anointed  with  fresh  oil. 

11.  Mine  eye  also  hath  seen  my  desire  on  mine  enemies, 
Mine  ears  have  heard  my  desire  of  the  evil-doers  that 

rise  up  against  me. 

12.  The  righteous  shall  flourish  like  the  palm-tree: 
He  shall  grow  like  a  cedar  in  Lebanon. 

13.  They  are  planted  in  the  house  of  Jehovah; 
They  shall  flourish  in  the  courts  of  our  God. 

14.  They  shall  still  bring  forth  fruit  in  old  age; 
They  shall  be  full  of  sap  and  green: 

15.  To  show  that  Jehovah  is  upright; 

He  is  my  rock,  and  there  is  no  unrighteousness  in  him. 

Psalm   XCII. 

1.    See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

The  oneness  of  the  Divine  of  the  Lord  with  His  Divine 

Human  which  is  the  "sabbath."  P.  P. 

2-4.     See  Psalm  xxxiii.  2,  3.  R.  276. 

On  account  of  musical  instruments  and  also  dances 
signifying  joy  and  gladness  which  result  from  affections, 
and  also  the  affections  of  the  mind  themselves,  which 
their  several  sounds  produce,  both  in  what  is  simple  and 
in  what  is  complex,  therefore  David  and  the  whole  house 
of  Israel  played  before  Jehovah  on  all  manner  of  instru- 
ments made  of  fir  wood,  even  on  harps,  and  on  psalteries, 
and  on  timbrels,  and  on  cornets,  and  on  cymbals.  Since 
the  harp  signifies  confessions  from  spiritual  truths,  and 
spiritual  truths  are  those  which  affect  the  angels  who  are 
in  the  Lord's  spiritual  kingdom,  they  and  the  angels  who 
are  in  them  also  dissipate  falsities.     See  i.  Samuel  xvi.  23. 

E.  323- 

2-6.  Song  in  praise  of  the  cooperation  of  the  Father  with 
Him.  P.  P. 


PSALM   XCII.  347 

3.     See  Psalm  xxv.  10.  A.  6180. 

7.     The  evil  do  not  understand  this.  P.  p. 

8-10.     Although  the  evil  flourish,  yet  they  perish.       P.  P. 
11.     See  Psalm  xxii.  22.  A.  2832. 

See  Psalm  xxiii.  5.  A.  9954. 

It  was  a  received  custom  to  anoint  themselves  and  others 
to  testify  gladness  and  benevolence  of  mind,  but  with 
common  or  some  other  precious  oil,  not  with  the  oil  of 
holiness.  R.  779. 

Here  the  expression  like  the  horn  of  an  unicorn  signifies 
truth,  as  to  abundance  and  power.  E.  316. 

See  Psalm  xlv.  8.  E.  375. 

See  Psalm  xxxvii.  35.  E.  507. 

11,  12.  Thus  He  has  Divine  omnipotence  against  those 
that  rise  up  against  Him.  p.  p. 

See  Psalm  Hi.  10.  R.  401. 

13.  Palm  tree  stands  for  good  and  cedar  for  truth.  Since 
palm  signifies  good,  it  also  signifies  wisdom,  for  wisdom 
is  of  good.  A.  8369. 

13,  14.  By  palms  the  Divine  truths  of  the  Word  are  sig- 
nified. R.  367. 
See  Psalm  lxv.  5.  R.  487. 
See  Psalm  xviii.  7.  E.  220. 
The  righteous  signify  those  who  are  in  good,  for  by  the 
righteous  in  the  Word  are  signified  those  who  are  in  the 
good  of  love,  and  by  the  holy  those  who  are  in  truths  de- 
rived from  that  good.  It  is  said  concerning  them  that 
they  shall  flourish  like  the  palm  tree,  and  grow  like  a 
cedar  in  Lebanon,  for  by  these  are  understood  the  fructi- 
fication of  good,  and  the  multiplication  of  truth.  Palm 
signifies  spiritual  good,  cedar  the  truth  of  that  good,  and 
Lebanon  the  spiritual  church.  By  the  house  of  Jehovah 
in  which  they  are  planted,  and  the  courts  in  which  they 
shall  germinate  is  signified  heaven  and  the  church,  the 
house  of  Jehovah  the  internal  church,  and  the  courts 
the  external  church.     Plantation  is  effected  in  the  in- 


348  PSALM   XCII. 

I3  teriors  of  man  where  the  good  of  love  and  charity  resides, 
and  germinations  in  the  exteriors  of  man  where  the  good 
of  life  resides.  E.  458. 

By  the  courts  is  here  understood  heaven,  and  specifi- 
cally the  ultimate  heaven,  and  the  church.  E.  630. 

13-15.     From  which  the  church  will  nourish.  P.  P. 

14,  15.     When  they  are  grey  haired  means  in  the  last  stage. 

A.  555o. 

15,  16.     See  Psalm  xxxvi.  9.  R.  782. 
To  be  fat  and  green  signifies  to  be  in  goods  and  truths 

of  doctrine.  E.  n  59. 

16,  By  rock  is  understood  Divine  truth  from  the  Lord,  or 
the  Lord  himself.  E.  411. 

and  will  sing  praises  to  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

See  Psalm  lxxviii.  16,  20,  35.  Inv.  35. 


PSALM  XCIII. 


1.  Jehovah  reigneth;  he  is  clothed  with  majesty; 
Jehovah  is  clothed  with  strength;  he  hath  girded  him- 
self therewith: 

The  world  also  is  established,  that  it  cannot  be  moved. 

2.  Thy  throne  is  established  of  old: 
Thou  art  from  everlasting. 

3.  The  floods  have  lifted  up,  O  Jehovah, 
The  floods  have  lifted  up  their  voice; 
The  floods  lift  up  their  waves. 

4.  Above  the  voices  of  many  waters, 
The  mighty  breakers  of  the  sea, 
Jehovah  on  high  is  mighty. 

5.  Thy  testimonies  are  very  sure: 
Holiness  becometh  thy  house, 
O  Jehovah,  for  evermore. 


PSALM  XCIII. 


Psalm  XCIII. 


349 


I.  Since  in  the  church  among  the  ancients  it  was  custom- 
ary to  say,  God  shall  reign,  therefore  in  David  some 
Psalms  are  inscribed  with  the  words  "Jehovah  reigneth." 
By  this  was  signified  that  it  was  well  with  the  church, 
because  then  good  and  truth  from  the  Divine  were  therein. 

A.  8331. 

I,  2.  These  things  are  said  concerning  the  Lord  about  to 
come  into  the  world.  Since  He  has  glory  and  power  from 
the  Human  which  He  united  to  His  Divine,  it  is  said  that 
He  put  on  majesty  and  strength,  and  that  He  girded  him- 
self, for  the  Lord  assumed  the  Human  that  He  might  be 
in  the  potency  of  subjugating  the  hells.  The  church 
which  He  was  about  to  establish  and  to  defend  for  ever 
is  signified  by  the  world  which  shall  be  established  and 
shall  not  be  moved,  and  by  the  throne,  for  by  the  world 
is  signified  heaven  and  the  church  as  to  the  reception  of 
Divine  good,  and  by  the  throne  the  same  as  to  the  recep- 
tion of  Divine  truth.  E.  741. 
Through  the  oneness  of  the  Divine  and  the  Human  in 
the  Lord,  heaven  and  the  church  will  endure  to  eternity. 

P.  P. 

2-4.     Rivers  signify  truths  in  abundance.  R.  409. 

Spoken  concerning  the  Lord.  His  dominion  over 
heaven  and  earth  from  eternity  to  eternity  is  signified  by 
verse  2.  The  glorification  of  the  Lord  for  His  advent,  and 
the  salvation  of  mankind  thence  derived  is  signified  by 
what  is  said  about  the  floods,  for  by  the  floods  here  men- 
tioned three  times  are  signified  all  things  which  are  of 
man's  intelligence,  both  in  the  internal  and  in  the  external 
man.  The  Divine  truth  from  the  Lord  whence  are  power 
and  salvation  is  signified  by  verse  4,  waters  standing  for 
truths,  and  the  noise  of  many  waters  for  Divine  truths. 

E.  518. 


35° 


PSALM   XCIII. 


3,  4.     A  voice  signifies  what  is  announced  from  the  Word. 

A  voice  is  often  spoken  of  and  also  applied  to  such  things 

as  have  no  relation  to  a  voice.  A.  6971. 

The  joy  of  those  who  are  in  Divine  truths  from  this 

source.  P.  P. 

5.     See  Psalm  xix.  8.  A.  4197. 

The  Word  established  in  the  church.  P.  P. 


PSALM  XCIV. 


1.  O  Jehovah,  thou  God  to  whom  vengeance  belongeth, 
Thou  God  to  whom  vengeance  belongeth,  shine  forth. 

2.  Lift  up  thyself,  thou  judge  of  the  earth: 
Render  to  the  proud  their  desert. 

3.  Jehovah,  how  long  shall  the  wicked, 
How  long  shall  the  wicked  triumph  ? 

4.  They  prate,  they  speak  arrogantly: 

All  the  workers  of  iniquity  boast  themselves. 

5.  They  break  in  pieces  thy  people,  O  Jehovah, 
And  afflict  thy  heritage. 

6.  They  slay  the  widow  and  the  sojourner, 
And  murder  the  fatherless. 

7.  And  they  say,  Jehovah  will  not  see, 
Neither  will  the  God  of  Jacob  consider. 

8.  Consider,  ye  brutish  among  the  people; 
And  ye  fools,  when  will  ye  be  wise  ? 

9.  He  that  planted  the  ear,  shall  he  not  hear? 
He  that  formed  the  eye,  shall  he  not  see  ? 

10.  He  that  chastiseth  the  nations,  shall  not  he  correct, 
Even  he  that  teacheth  man  knowledge  ? 

1 1 .  Jehovah  knoweth  the  thoughts  of  man, 
That  they  are  vanity. 

12.  Blessed  is  the  man  whom  thou  chastenest,  O  Jehovah, 
And  teachest  out  of  thy  law; 

13.  That  thou  mayest  give  him  rest  from  the  days  of  ad- 

versity, 
Until  the  pit  be  digged  for  the  wicked. 


PSALM   XCIV.  351 

14.  For  Jehovah  will  not  cast  off  his  people, 
Neither  will  he  forsake  his  inheritance. 

15.  For  judgment  shall  return  unto  righteousness; 
And  all  the  upright  in  heart  shall  follow  it. 

16.  Who  will  rise  up  for  me  against  the  evil-doers? 

Who  will  stand  up  for  me  against  the  workers  of  in- 
iquity ? 

17.  Unless  Jehovah  had  been  my  help, 
My  soul  had  soon  dwelt  in  silence. 

18.  When  I  said,  My  foot  slippeth; 

Thy  lovingkindness,  O  Jehovah,  held  me  up. 

19.  In  the  multitude  of  my  thoughts  within  me 
Thy  comforts  delight  my  soul. 

20.  Shall  the  throne  of  wickedness  have  fellowship  with 

thee, 
Which  f rameth  mischief  by  statute  ? 

21.  They  gather  themselves  together  against  the  soul  of 

the  righteous, 
And  condemn  the  innocent  blood. 

22.  But  Jehovah  hath  been  my  high  tower, 
And  my  God  the  rock  of  my  refuge. 

23.  And  he  hath  brought  upon  them  their  own  iniquity, 
And  will  cut  them  off  in  their  own  wickedness; 
Jehovah  our  God  will  cut  them  off. 

Psalm  XCIV. 

General  Subject.  Of  the  Jewish  nation.  It  destroyed 
the  church.  P.  P. 

1,  2.     O  that  judgment  may  be  executed  upon  them!     P.  P. 

3-1 1.  Because  that  nation  has  destroyed  the  church, 
neither  does  it  fear  God,  although  He  sees  all  things.  P.  P. 

6.  By  father  in  the  genuine  sense  is  signified  good,  and  in 
the  supreme  sense  the  Lord.  A.  3703. 

7.  The  God  of  Jacob  is  the  Lord.  A.  3305. 
12-15.     For  the  sake  of  the  church  the  Lord  will  come  to 

judge.  P.  P. 

16-19.     The  Divine  of  the  Lord  gives  help  against  the  evil, 

and  in  temptation.  P.  P. 


352  PSALM   XCIV. 

20,  21.     The  evil  rise  up  and  wish  to  kill.  P.  P. 

2i.     The  good  which  is  without  blame  and  evil  in  the  ex- 
ternal man,  that  is  exterior  good,  is  called  just  (righteous). 

A.  9262. 

22.     By  rock  throughout  the  Word  the  Divine  truth  is 

understood.  Inv.  35. 

22,  23.     But  through  help  from  His  Divine  they  will  perish. 

P.  P. 


PSALM  XCV. 


Oh  come,  let  us  sing  unto  Jehovah; 

Let  us  make  a  joyful  noise  to  the  rock  of  our  salvation. 

Let  us  come  before  his  presence  with  thanksgiving; 

Let  us  make  a  joyful  noise  unto  him  with  psalms. 

For  Jehovah  is  a  great  God, 

And  a  great  King  above  all  gods. 

In  his  hand  are  the  deep  places  of  the  earth; 

The  heights  of  the  mountains  are  his  also. 

The  sea  is  his,  and  he  made  it; 

And  his  hands  formed  the  dry  land. 

Oh  come,  let  us  worship  and  bow  down; 

Let  us  kneel  before  Jehovah  our  Maker: 

For  he  is  our  God, 

And  we  are  the  people  of  his  pasture,  and  the  sheep 

of  his  hand. 
To-day,  oh  that  ye  would  hear  his  voice! 
Harden  not  your  heart,  as  at  Meribah, 
As  in  the  day  of  Massah  in  the  wilderness; 
When  your  fathers  tempted  me, 
Proved  me,  and  saw  my  work. 
Forty  years  long  was  I  grieved  with  that  generation, 
And  said,  It  is  a  people  that  do  err  in  their  heart, 
And  they  have  not  known  my  ways: 
Wherefore  I  sware  in  my  wrath, 
That  they  should  not  enter  into  my  rest. 


psalm  xcv.  353 


Psalm  XCV. 

i.     Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

See  Psalm  xciv.  22.  Inv.  35. 

I,  2.     See  Psalm  xxvii.  8,  9.  R.  939. 

See  Psalm  lxxviii.  15,  16,  20,  35.  E.  411. 

See  Psalm  xlii.  3,  6.  E.  412. 

2-5.     Omnipotence  belongs  to  Him.  P.  P. 

3.         See  Psalm  lxxvii.  14,  15.  A.  7401. 

See  Psalm  lxxxvi.  8.  A.  8301. 

3,  4.  It  is  here  said  God  or  El  because  the  subject  is  the 
Divine  truth  and  hence  power,  and  also  gods  because  the 
subject  is  also  the  truths  therefrom,  for  a  king  in  the  in- 
ternal sense  signifies  truth.  A.  4402. 

6,  7.     He  is  to  be  worshipped  in  humility.  P.  P. 

8-10.  Let  them  not  be  like  the  nation  sprung  from  Jacob, 
who  estranged  themselves  from  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

8-1 1.  That  the  quality  of  the  Israelitish  nation  and  of  its 
religion  is  described  by  the  strife  with  Moses  at  Massah 
and  Meribah  is  evident  in  David.  A.  8588. 

9,  1  o.  By  forty  years  is  not  only  meant  the  vastation  of  the 
church  with  the  sons  of  Israel  but  also  a  full  state  of  temp- 
tation, also  by  the  end  of  those  years  the  beginning  of  a 
new  church.  E.  633. 

II.  See  Psalm  lxxxix.  4.  36,  R.  474- 
See  Psalm  lxxxix.  4,  36,  50.  E.  608. 

And  with  whom,  for  this  reason,  there  is  no  conjunction 
whatever.  P.  P. 


354  PSALM  XCVI. 


PSALM  XCVI. 


i.     Oh  sing  unto  Jehovah  a  new  song: 
Sing  unto  Jehovah,  all  the  earth. 

2.  Sing  unto  Jehovah,  bless  his  name; 
Show  forth  his  salvation  from  day  to  day. 

3.  Declare  his  glory  among  the  nations, 

His  marvellous  works  among  all  the  peoples. 

4.  For  great  is  Jehovah,  and  greatly  to  be  praised: 
He  is  to  be  feared  above  all  gods. 

5.  For  all  the  gods  of  the  peoples  are  idols; 
But  Jehovah  made  the  heavens. 

6.  Honor  and  majesty  are  before  him: 
Strength  and  beauty  are  in  his  sanctuary. 

7.  Ascribe  unto  Jehovah,  ye  kindreds  of  the  peoples, 
Ascribe  unto  Jehovah  glory  and  strength. 

8.  Ascribe  unto  Jehovah  the  glory  due  unto  his  name 
Bring  an  offering,  and  come  into  his  courts. 

9.  Oh  worship  Jehovah  in  holy  array: 
Tremble  before  him,  all  the  earth. 

10.  Say  among  the  nations,  Jehovah  reigneth: 

The  world  also  is  established  that  it  cannot  be  moved: 
He  will  judge  the  peoples  with  equity. 

11.  Let  the  heavens  be  glad,  and  let  the  earth  rejoice; 
Let  the  sea  roar,  and  the  fulness  thereof; 

12.  Let  the  field  exult,  and  all  that  is  therein; 
Then  shall  all  the  trees  of  the  wood  sing  for  joy 

13.  Before  Jehovah;  for  he  cometh, 
For  he  cometh  to  judge  the  earth: 

He  will  judge  the  world  with  righteousness, 
And  the  peoples  with  his  truth. 


PSALM   XCVI. 


Psalm  XCVI. 


355 


i.         See  Psalm  xviii.  i.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1-3.     See  Psalm  xvi.  7.  R.  289. 

To  bless  the  name  of  Jehovah  here  means  to  glorify 
Him,  and  to  give  thanks  to  Him.  It  is  said,  "Bless  his 
name,  show  forth  his  salvation  from  day  to  day"  because 
all  glorification  of  Jehovah  is  from  spiritual  truth  and 
from  spiritual  good.  Name  also  is  predicated  of  truths, 
and  salvation  of  good.  To  sing  a  song  signifies  to  glorify 
from  those  truths  and  from  that  good.  E.  340. 

1-9.  Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord  by  His  church,  that  to  Him 
alone  belong  power  and  glory.  P.  P. 

1-13.     See  Psalm  xl.  3,  4.  A.  8261. 

1,  2,  11,  12.  See  Psalm  vii.  18.  Add:  Where  the  subject 
treated  of  is  concerning  the  advent  of  the  Lord,  mention 
is  made  of  a  new  song,  and  that  the  earth,  the  sea,  the 
fields,  the  forest,  the  trees,  Lebanon,  the  wilderness,  and 
many  other  things  should  rejoice  and  exult.  E.  326. 

2.  See  Psalm  Ixviii.  27.  A.  1422. 
2,  13.     To  bring  good  tidings  —  evangelise  —  signifies  the 

Lord's  coming,  and  His  kingdom  at  that  time.      R.  478. 

The  acknowledgment  and  celebration  of  the  Lord  with 
joy  of  heart  on  account  of  His  advent  is  signified  by  verse 
2.  The  advent  itself  is  described  by  Jehovah  cometh, 
and  since  His  advent  is  when  the  last  judgment  takes  place 
it  is  therefore  said,  —  see  verse  13.  By  the  earth  is  under- 
stood the  church,  by  the  world  those  in  the  church  who 
are  in  the  good  of  charity,  and  by  the  people  those  in  the 
truths  thence  derived.  E.  612. 

The  whole  creed  of  Athanasius  can  be  reconciled,  when 
one  Divine,  that  is  one  only  Divine  is  acknowledged,  and 
if  the  one  only  Divine  is  recognised  which  the  Lord  calls 
His  Father,  and  which  is  His  own  Divine.     That  the 


356  PSALM   XCVI. 

Lord  is  called   "the  Lord  Jehovih"  may  be  seen  Isaiah 
xl.  10,  etc.,  that  He  is  called  "  Jehovah"  in  Psalm  xcvi. 

Ath.,  Page  14. 

4.  See  Psalm  lxxvii.  14,  15.  A.  7401. 

5,  6.     See  Psalm  viii.  6.  R.  249. 

By  the  heavens  is  understood  the  Divine  which  proceed 
from  the  Lord,  since  the  heavens  are  therefrom.  Since 
the  Divine  which  proceeds,  and  constitutes  the  heavens 
is  Divine  truth  and  Divine  good,  it  is  therefore  said,  honour 
and  majesty  are  before  Him.  By  sanctuary  is  under- 
stood the  church.  The  Divine  good  and  Divine  truth 
therein  are  understood  by  strength  and  beauty.       E.  288. 

7.  As  the  nations  signify  goods,  so  also  did  the  families 
(kindreds)  for  each  nation  consisted  of  families. 

A.  1261. 

8.  See  Psalm  lxv.  5.  A.  9741. 
See  Psalm  lxv.  5.  R.  487. 
See  Psalm  lxxxiv.  11.  E.  630. 

10,  11.  Treating  also  concerning  the  Lord's  advent,  and 
concerning  the  church  to  be  established  by  Him,  and  de- 
fended to  eternity,  which  is  signified  by  the  world  which 
shall  be  established  and  shall  not  be  removed.       E.  741. 

10-12.  He  will  come  to  judgment  that  heaven  and  the 
church  may  worship  Him  from  joy  of  heart.  P.  P. 

10.  13.  Jehovah  comes.  He  comes  to  judge  the  earth. 
He  shall  judge  the  people  in  righteousness  and  the  world 
in  justice.  D.  P.,  Page  72. 

11.  See  Psalm  li.  10.  S.  87. 
See  Psalm  xl.  17.  R.  507. 
See  Psalm  li.  10.  T.  252. 
See  Psalm  xl.  17.  E.  660. 

11-13.  See  Psalm  lxix.  35,  36.  Add:  It  is  said  every 
created  thing,  and  by  this  is  meant  every  thing  that  is 
reformed,  or  all  the  reformed,  for  by  creating  is  signified 
to  reform  and  regenerate.  R.  290. 

12.  A  field  cannot  exult,  nor  trees  of  the  wood  sing,  but 
things  that  are  in  man,  which  are  knowledges  of  faith. 

A.  368. 


psalm  xcvn.  357 

The  church  as  to  knowledges,  or  as  to  externals  is  sig- 
nified by  a  forest  in  David  —  speaking  of  the  Lord. 

A.  901 1. 
13.     Since  a  last  judgment  was  effected  by  the  Lord  when 
He  was  in  the  world  by  combats  with  the  hells  and  by  their 
subjugation,  the  judgment  which  He  was  to  effect  is  there- 
fore here  treated.  L.  14. 

Treating  concerning  the  coming  of  the  Lord  and  the 
last  judgment  then  to  take  place,  since  by  the  world  are 
signified  those  in  the  church  who  are  in  good,  and  by 
people  those  who  are  in  truths,  therefore  it  is  said,  that 
He  shall  judge  the  world  in  justice,  and  the  people  in 
verity,  justice  being  predicated  of  good,  in  like  manner 
as  the  world.  E.  741. 

He  will  come  to  judgment.  P.  P. 


PSALM  XCVII. 


Jehovah  reigneth;  let  the  earth  rejoice; 

Let  the  multitude  of  isles  be  glad. 

Clouds  and  darkness  are  round  about  him: 

Righteousness  and  justice  are  the  foundation  of  his 

throne. 
A  fire  goeth  before  him, 
And  burnetii  up  his  adversaries  round  about. 
His  lightnings  lightened  the  world: 
The  earth  saw,  and  trembled. 
The  mountains  melted  like  wax  at  the  presence  of 

Jehovah, 
At  the  presence  of  the  Lord  of  the  whole  earth. 
The  heavens  declare  his  righteousness, 
And  all  the  peoples  have  seen  his  glory. 
Let  all  them  be  put  to  shame  that  serve  graven  images, 
That  boast  themselves  of  idols: 
Worship  him,  all  ye  gods. 


358  PSALM.   XCVII. 

8.  Zion  heard  and  was  glad, 

And  the  daughters  of  Judah  rejoiced, 
Because  of  thy  judgments,  O  Jehovah. 

9.  For  thou,  Jehovah,  art  most  high  above  all  the  earth: 
Thou  art  exalted  far  above  all  gods. 

10.  O  ye  that  love  Jehovah,  hate  evil: 
He  preserveth  the  souls  of  his  saints; 

He  delivereth  them  out  of  the  hand  of  the  wicked. 

11.  Light  is  sown  for  the  righteous, 

And  gladness  for  the  upright  in  heart. 

12.  Be  glad  in  Jehovah,  ye  righteous; 

And  give  thanks  to  his  holy  memorial  name. 


Psalm  XCVII. 

1.    See  Psalm  xciii.  1.  A.  8331. 

By  these  words  is  signified  that  the  church  where  the 
Word  is,  and  the  church  where  the  Word  is  not,  and  con- 
sequently they  who  are  in  spiritual  truths,  and  they  who 
are  not,  shall  rejoice  on  account  of  the  kingdom  of  the 
Lord.  By  the  earth  is  signified  the  church  where  ihe 
Word  is,  and  by  the  islands  the  church  where  there  is 
not  the  Word,  consequently  they  who  are  remote  from 
spiritual  truths,  for  the  truths  of  the  Word  are  alone  spir- 
itual. They  who  are  without  the  pale  of  the  church,  as 
they  have  not  truths  from  the  Word,  are  only  in  natural 
truths,  whence  it  is  that  they  are  called  islands.  By 
islands  in  the  Word  are  not  understood  any  islands  of 
the  sea,  but  places  in  the  spiritual  world  inhabited  by 
those  who  are  in  natural  science  of  knowledges  of  truth 
and  good  which  are  in  the  Word.  E.  406. 

1,  2.     The  isles  stand  for  nations  more  remote  from  the 
knowledges  of  faith.  A.  11 58. 

1-6.     Joy  of  the  church  over  the  coming  of  the  Lord,  with 
whom  is  Divine  truth.  P.  P. 

2.  See  Psalm  ix.  5,  8.  A.  5313. 


psalm  xcviii.  359 

3,  4.     See  Psalm  lxxvii.  16,  18,  19.  R.  236. 

Lightnings  signify  Divine  truths  as  to  illumination,  for 

it  is  said,  His  lightning  enlightens  the  world.  E.  273. 

3-6.     In  this  Psalm  the  same  things  as  in  Psalm  xlv.  4-8 

are  treated  of.     See  that  Psalm.  L.  14. 

4,  5.     See  Psalm  lxxvii.  18,  19.  A.  8813. 

See  Psalm  lxxvii.  18,  19.  A.  8816. 

By  these  words  is  described  the  state  of  the  impious 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  in  His  Divine  truth,  which 
state  is  similar  to  that  of  the  sons  of  Israel  when  the  Lord 
appeared  to  them  upon  mount  Sinai,  that  they  there 
heard  thunderings,  saw  lightnings,  and  that  the  mountain 
appeared  in  a  consuming  fire  as  of  a  furnace  is  known 
from  the  Word,  and  the  reason  of  this  was,  because  they 
were  evil  in  heart.  The  Lord  appears  to  every  one  accord- 
ing to  his  quality,  to  the  good  as  a  recreating  fire,  and  to 
the  evil  as  a  consuming  fire.  E.  741. 

7.  All  who  are  in  falsities  will  be  removed.  P.  P. 
Hebrews  i.  2-9,  13  is  referred  to           D.  P.,  Page  43. 

8.  9.     Joy  that  the  Lord  is  the  God  of  heaven  and  the 
church.  P.  P. 

9.  See  Psalm  lxxxvi.  8.  A.  8301. 
10-12.     He  will  protect  those  who  are  in  truths  from  Him. 

P.  P. 
12.     See  Psalm  xxx.  5.     Add:  Holy  is  spoken  of  truth. 

A.  6888. 


PSALM  XCVIII. 

A  Psalm. 


i.     Oh  sing  unto  Jehovah  a  new  song; 
For  he  hath  done  marvellous  things: 
His  right  hand,  and  his  holy  arm,  hath  wrought  salva- 
tion for  him. 
2.     Jehovah  hath  made  known  his  salvation: 

His  righteousness  hath  he  openly  showed  in  the  sight 
of  the  nations. 


360  PSALM  XCVIII. 

3.  He  hath  remembered  his  lovingkindness  and  his  faith- 
fulness toward  the  house  of  Israel: 

All  the  ends  of  the  earth  have  seen  the  salvation  of  our 
God. 

Make  a  joyful  noise  unto  Jehovah,  all  the  earth: 

Break  forth  and  sing  for  joy,  yea,  sing  praises. 

Sing  praises  unto  Jehovah  with  the  harp; 

With  the  harp  and  the  voice  of  melody. 

With  trumpets  and  sound  of  cornet 

Make  a  joyful  noise  before  the  King,  Jehovah. 

Let  the  sea  roar,  and  the  fulness  thereof; 

The  world,  and  they  that  dwell  therein; 

Let  the  floods  clap  their  hands; 

Let  the  hills  sing  for  joy  together 

Before  Jehovah;  for  he  cometh  to  judge  the  earth: 

He  will  judge  the  world  with  righteousness, 

And  the  peoples  with  equity. 


Psalm  XCVIII. 

General  Subject.     The  coming  of  the  Lord  and  the 

glorification  of  His  Human.  P.  P. 

I.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

He  will  then  have  power.  ,  P.  P. 

1-9.     Verses  partly  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  59. 

1,  4-8.     That  songs  were  for  the  sake  of  the  exaltation  of 
the  life  of  love,  and  hence  of  joy,  is  manifest.  R.  279. 

The  subject  is  the  advent  of  the  Lord,  and  salvation  by 
Him,  and  because  these  things  were  about  to  take  place 
mention  is  made  of  a  new  song.  The  joy  thence  arising 
is  described  not  only  by  singing,  playing,  etc.,  but  also  by 
musical  instruments.  E.  326. 

2.  Hence  is  salvation.  P.  P. 

2,  3.     See  Psalm  viii.  5.  A.  9849. 

3.  See  Psalm  lxi.  8.  A.  3122. 
The  predictions  are  to  be  fulfilled.  P.  P. 


PSALM   XCVIII.  361 

4-6.     See  Psalm  xxxiii.  2,  3.  R.  276. 

The  various  kinds  of  affections  from  which  arise  con- 
fession and  glorification  of  the  Lord,  are  here  expressed 
by  various  kinds  of  sound  and  instruments.  To  sing  unto 
Jehovah  with  the  harp,  and  the  voice  of  a  Psalm  signifies 
confession  from  the  affection  of  spiritual  good  and  truth, 
for  all  affection  since  it  appertains  to  the  love,  when  it 
falls  into  sound,  sounds  agreeably  to  itself.  E.  323. 

4-8.     Song  of  praise  to  Him  and  joy  on  that  account.     P.  P. 

5,  6.  Since  the  Divine  truth  descending  from  the  Lord 
through  the  heavens  gladdens  the  heart  and  infuses  the 
holy  of  worship,  therefore  they  sounded  the  trumpets  on 
the  days  of  gladness  and  in  the  feasts.  See  also  Zepha- 
niah  iii.  14.  E.  502. 

7,  8.     Rivers  signify  truths  in  abundance.  R.  409. 

These  words  signify  the  glorification  of  the  Lord  by 
the  universal  heaven.  Glorification  from  the  ultimates 
thereof  is  signified  by  the  sea  and  the  fulness  thereof  roar- 
ing, the  glorification  from  the  whole  heaven  by  the  world 
and  they  that  dwell  therein.  The  world  signifies  the  uni- 
versal heaven  as  to  its  truths  and  they  that  dwell  therein 
as  to  its  goods.  Inhabitants  in  the  Word  signify  those 
who  are  in  the  goods  of  heaven  and  of  the  church,  and 
thus  the  goods  themselves.  The  glorification  of  the  Lord 
by  the  truths  of  intelligence  and  by  the  goods  of  love  is 
signified,  the  former  by  the  floods  clapping  their  hands, 
and  the  latter  by  the  hills  being  joyful  together.      E.  518. 

9.     See  Psalm  ix.  9.  R.  551. 

See  Psalm  xcvi.  10,  11.  E.  741. 

He  comes  to  judgment.  P.  P. 

This  Psalm  treats  of  the  advent  of  the  Lord. 

D.  P.,  Page  72. 


362  PSALM   XCLX. 


PSALM  XCIX. 

1.  Jehovah  reigneth;  let  the  peoples  tremble: 

He  sitteth  above  the  cherubim;  let  the  earth  be  moved. 

2.  Jehovah  is  great  in  Zion; 

And  he  is  high  above  all  the  peoples. 

3.  Let  them  praise  thy  great  and  terrible  name: 
Holy  is  he. 

4.  The  king's  strength  also  loveth  justice; 
Thou  dost  establish  equity; 

Thou  executest  justice  and  righteousness  in  Jacob. 

5.  Exalt  ye  Jehovah  our  God, 
And  worship  at  his  footstool: 
Holy  is  he. 

6.  Moses  and  Aaron  among  his  priests, 

And  Samuel  among  them  that  call  upon  his  name ; 
They  called  upon  Jehovah,  and  he  answered  them. 

7.  He  spake  unto  them  in  the  pillar  of  cloud: 
They  kept  his  testimonies, 

And  the  statute  that  he  gave  them. 

8.  Thou  answeredst  them,  O  Jehovah  our  God: 
Thou  wast  a  God  that  forgavest  them, 
Though  thou  tookest  vengeance  of  their  doings. 

9.  Exalt  ye  Jehovah  our  God, 
And  worship  at  his  holy  hill; 
For  Jehovah  our  God  is  holy. 


Psalm  XCIX. 

1.     See  Psalm  xciii.  1.  A.  8331. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  11.  A.  9509. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  10,  11.  S.  97. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  10,  11.  R.  239. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  10,  11.  T.  260. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  10,  11.  E.  277. 

1,2.     Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord  who  is  the  Word  and  the 

God  of  the  church.  P.  P. 


PSALM   XCIX.  363 

2,  4.  Zion  is  called  the  king's  strength  by  reason  of  Divine 
truth,  to  which  belongs  essential  power.  E.  850. 

3,  5,  9.     He  should  be  worshipped,  P.  P. 

4,  See  Psalm  xiv.  7.  A.  4281. 
Because  power  and  justice  belong  to  Him.  P.  P. 

5,  The  earth  stands  for  all  the  lower  things  corresponding 
to  the  heavens,  such  as  the  lower  rational  and  natural 
things,  such  are  the  things  which  are  in  the  lower  heavens, 
also  those  in  the  church,  and  in  external  worship,  and  in 
the  literal  sense  of  the  Word,  in  a  word  all  such  things  as 
proceed  from  internal  things  and  are  presented  in  ex- 
ternals —  such  because  they  are  rational  things  are  called 
the  earth,  and  the  stool  for  the  Lord's  feet.  A.  2162. 

Footstool  is  the  Divine  truth  beneath  heaven,  such  as 
is  the  Word  in  the  literal  sense,  for  upon  this  the  Divine 
truth  in  heaven,  wThich  is  the  Word  in  the  internal  sense, 
leans  and  as  it  were  stands.  A.  9166. 

Since  the  Lord's  church  is  under  the  heavens,  and  thus 
under  the  Lord's  feet,  it  is  therefore  called  the  footstool  of 
His  feet.  R.  49. 

To  receive  and  acknowledge  truths  is  signified  by  com- 
ing and  worshipping  at  the  Lord's  feet,  from  whom  they 
have  the  truths  from  good.  The  same  is  signified  by  this 
verse.  R.  183. 

Since  the  feet  of  Jehovah,  or  the  Lord,  signify  the  ulti- 
mate of  Divine  order,  which  is  specifically  the  external 
of  the  church,  of  worship,  and  of  the  Word,  therefore  this 
is  called  in  the  Word  His  footstool.  E.  69. 

5-7.  The  stool  of  the  feet  of  Jehovah  towards  which  they 
should  adore  is  the  Divine  truth  in  ultimates,  thus  the 
Word.  Moses  and  Aaron  in  the  representative  sense  are 
the  Word.  A.  9406. 

6,  7.     The  Word  is  from  Him.  P.  P. 
8.    He  is  the  Redeemer.  P.  P. 


364  PSALM   C. 


PSALM  C. 

A  Psalm  of  thanksgiving. 

1.  Make  a  joyful  noise  unto  Jehovah,  all  ye  lands. 

2.  Serve  Jehovah  with  gladness: 

Come  before  his  presence  with  singing. 

3.  Know  ye  that  Jehovah,  he  is  God: 

It  is  he  that  hath  made  us,  and  we  are  his; 
We  are  his  people,  and  the  sheep  of  his  pasture. 

4.  Enter  into  his  gates  with  thanksgiving, 
And  into  his  courts  with  praise: 

Give  thanks  unto  him,  and  bless  his  name. 

5.  For  Jehovah  is  good;  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for 

ever, 
And  his  faithfulness  unto  all  generations. 

Psalm  C. 

1-3.  Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord,  that  He  is  to  be  worshipped 
with  the  heart,  because  He  is  the  Former  of  the  church. 

P.  P. 
1-5.     See  Psalm  lxxv.  2.  A.  3880. 

3.  See  Psalm  xxiii.  1,  2.  A.  5201. 
See  Psalm  xxiii.  1-3.  A.  6078. 
See  Psalm  xxiii.  1,2.              .  E.  482. 

4.  Confession  and  confessing  proceed  from  the  love  of 
good,  but  praise  and  blessing  from  the  love  of  truth. 

A.  3880. 

See  Psalm  lxv.  5.  R.  487. 

Knowledges  of  truth  and  good  are  signified  by  gates. 
They  also  signify  introductory  truths,  which  are  knowl- 
edges from  the  Word.  R.  899. 

By  courts  are  signified  the  ultimates  of  heaven,  like- 
wise the  externals  of  the  church,  of  the  Word,  and  of 
worship.  E.  630. 

4,  5.  Let  them  draw  near  to  Him  through  the  truths  of 
the  Word  and  confess  Him.  P.  P. 


PSALM   CI.  365 

PSALM  CI. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 

1.  I  will  sing  of  lovingkindness  and  justice: 
Unto  thee,  O  Jehovah,  will  I  sing  praises. 

2.  I  will  behave  myself  wisely  in  a  perfect  way: 
Oh  when  wilt  thou  come  unto  me  ? 

I  will  walk  within  my  house  with  a  perfect  heart. 

3.  I  will  set  no  base  thing  before  mine  eyes: 
I  hate  the  work  of  them  that  turn  aside; 
It  shall  not  cleave  unto  me. 

4.  A  perverse  heart  shall  depart  from  me: 
I  will  know  no  evil  thing. 

5.  Whoso    privily    slandereth   his   neighbor,    him   will   I 

destroy: 
Him  that  hath  a  high  look  and  a  proud  heart  will  I  not 

suffer. 
6*     Mine  eyes  shall  be  upon  the  faithful  of  the  land,  that 

they  may  dwell  with  me: 
He  that  walketh  in  a  perfect  way,  he  shall  minister  unto 

me. 

7.  He  that  worketh  deceit  shall  not  dwell  within  my  house: 
He  that  speaketh  falsehood  shall  not  be  established 

before  mine  eyes. 

8.  Morning  by  morning  will  I  destroy  all  the  wicked  of 

the  land; 
To  cut  off  all  the  workers  of  iniquity  from  the  city  of 
Jehovah. 

Psalm  CI. 

General  Subject.     Something  concerning  judgment  by 
the  Lord.  P.  P. 

1.  He  is  to  be  celebrated.  P.  P- 

2.  See  Psalm  xxv.  21.  A.  612. 
See  Psalm  xxv.  21.                                               A.  9905. 

2,  3,  6,  7.     His  perfection,   and  He  loves  those  that  are 
perfect.  P-  P- 


366  PSALM   CI. 

4,  5.    He  rejects  the  evil  and  the  haughty.  P.  P. 

6.  See  Psalm  xxv.  21.  A.  612. 

6-8.  By  sincerity  are  meant  also  integrity,  justice,  faith- 
fulness, and  uprightness.  A  man  cannot  be  in  these 
from  himself  so  as  to  love  them  from  themselves  and  for 
their  own  sake.  But  he  is  in  them  who  shuns  the  various 
forms  of  fraud,  cunning,  and  deceit  as  sins,  and  he  is 
thus  in  them  not  from  himself  but  from  the  Lord.  This 
the  Lord  teaches  in  many  passages.  Life  84. 

7.  Dwelling  in  the  house  of  Jehovah  means  being  and  living 
in  the  good  of  love,  for  this  is  the  house  of  Jehovah. 

A.  3384. 
To  dwell  signifies  to  live,  consequently  life.        E.  662. 

8.  In  a  general  sense  it  is  called  morning  as  well  when  the 
dawn  appears  as  when  the  sun  rises,  and  then  morning 
is  taken  for  the  judgment  both  concerning  the  good  and 
upon  the  evil.     Here  upon  the  evil.  A.  2405. 

The  evil  will  perish  when  the  Lord  comes.  P.  P. 

Verse  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  72. 


PSALM  CII. 


A  Prayer  of  the  afflicted,  when  he  is  overwhelmed,  and  poureth  out 
his  complaint  before  Jehovah. 

i.     Hear  my  prayer,  O  Jehovah, 
And  let  my  cry  come  unto  thee. 

2.  Hide  not  thy  face  from  me  in  the  day  of  my  distress: 
Incline  thine  ear  unto  me; 

In  the  day  when  I  call  answer  me  speedily. 

3.  For  my  days  consume  away  like  smoke, 
And  my  bones  are  burned  as  a  firebrand. 

4.  My  heart  is  smitten  like  grass,  and  withered; 
For  I  forget  to  eat  my  bread. 

5.  By  reason  of  the  voice  of  my  groaning 
My  bones  cleave  to  my  flesh. 


PSALM   CII.  367 

I  am  like  a  pelican  of  the  wilderness; 

I  am  become  as  an  owl  of  the  waste  places. 

I  watch,  and  am  become  like  a  sparrow 

That  is  alone  upon  the  housetop. 

Mine  enemies  reproach  me  all  the  day; 

They  that  are  mad  against  me  do  curse  by  me. 

For  I  have  eaten  ashes  like  bread, 

And  mingled  my  drink  with  weeping, 

10.  Because  of  thine  indignation  and  thy  wrath: 
For  thou  hast  taken  me  up,  and  cast  me  away. 

11.  My  days  are  like  a  shadow  that  declineth; 
And  I  am  withered  like  grass. 

12.  But  thou,  O  Jehovah,  wilt  abide  for  ever; 
And  thy  memorial  name  unto  all  generations. 

13.  Thou  wilt  arise,  and  have  mercy  upon  Zion; 
For  it  is  time  to  have  pity  upon  her, 

Yea,  the  set  time  is  come. 

14.  For  thy  servants  take  pleasure  in  her  stones, 
And  have  pity  upon  her  dust. 

15.  So  the  nations  shall  fear  the  name  of  Jehovah, 
And  all  the  kings  of  the  earth  thy  glory. 

16.  For  Jehovah  hath  built  up  Zion; 
He  hath  appeared  in  his  glory; 

17.  He  hath  regarded  the  prayer  of  the  destitute, 
And  hath  not  despised  their  prayer. 

18.  This  shall  be  written  for  the  generation  to  come; 
And   a  people   which   shall   be   created   shall   praise 

Jehovah. 

19.  For  he  hath  looked  down  from  the  height  of  his  sanc- 

tuary; 
From  heaven  did  Jehovah  behold  the  earth; 

20.  To  hear  the  sighing  of  the  prisoner; 

To  loose  those  that  are  appointed  to  death; 

21.  That  men  may  declare  the  name  of  Jehovah  in  Zion, 
And  his  praise  in  Jerusalem; 

22.  When  the  peoples  are  gathered  together, 
And  the  kingdoms,  to  serve  Jehovah. 

23.  He  weakened  my  strength  in  the  way; 
He  shortened  my  days. 


368  PSALM   CII. 

24.  I  said,  O  my  God,  take  me  not  away  in  the  midst  of 

my  days: 
Thy  years  are  throughout  all  generations. 

25.  Of  "old  didst  thou  lay  the  foundation  of  the  earth; 
And  the  heavens  are  the  work  of  thy  hands.    • 

26.  They  shall  perish,  but  thou  shalt  endure; 
Yea,  all  of  them  shall  wax  old  like  a  garment; 

As  a  vesture  shalt  thou  change  them,  and  they  shall 
be  changed: 

27.  But  thou  art  the  same, 

And  thy  years  shall  have  no  end. 

28.  The  children  of  thy  servants  shall  continue, 
And  their  seed  shall  be  established  before  thee. 


Psalm   CII. 

1- 1 2.  Prayer  of  the  Lord  when  He  was  in  temptations 
even  to  despair,  which  state  is  described.  P.  P, 

3.     See  Psalm  xvii.  6.  A.  3869 

See  Psalm  iv.  7.  A.  10579 

See  Psalm  xxvii.  8,  9.  R.  939 

See  Psalm  xiii.  2.  E.  412 

10,  11.     The  signification  of  ashes  is  falsities.      A.  7520 

13,  19.  Nevertheless  those  that  are  out  of  the  church  ex- 
pect compassion,  that  they  may  become  a  church.     P.  P. 

14,  15.  By  the  stones  of  Zion  which  the  servants  of  Jehovah 
desire  are  understood  Divine  truths,  for  by  Zion  upon 
which  Jehovah  shall  have  mercy  is  understood  the  church 
which  is  in  celestial  love.  E.  717. 

14-17,  22,  23.     See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  R.  612. 

Treating  of  the  Lord's  advent  and  the  redemption  of 
the  faithful  by  Him.  His  advent  is  signified  by  the  time 
to  pity  Zion,  and  by  the  set  time.  Truths  which  are  to  be 
restored  and  are  restored,  are  signified  by  the  stones 
which  His  servants  desire.  The  establishment  of  the 
church  and  worship  of  the  Lord  from  Divine  truths  is 
also  described  by  the  words  following.  E.  850. 


PSALM  CII.  369 

16,  i^.    See  Psalm  xix.  2.  A.  9429. 

See  Psalm  xix.  2.  R.  629. 

16,  17,  19.  This  passage  treats  of  reformation.  By  the 
nations  which  shall  fear  the  name  of  Jehovah  are  under- 
stood those  who  are  in  good,  and  by  the  kings  of  the  earth 
those  who  are  in  truths  derived  from  good.  By  building 
Zion  is  understood  the  establishment  of  the  church,  Zion 
standing  for  the  church.  The  people  which  shall  be 
created  and  shall  praise  the  Lord  signify  all  those  who 
are  reformed.  E.  294. 

19.  To  create,  to  form,  and  to  make  almost  everywhere 
hi  the  prophets  signify  —  with  a  difference  —  to  regen- 
erate. A.  16. 

Mention  is  made  of  creating,  of  forming  and  making, 
and  in  other  places  of  a  creator,  a  former,  and  a  maker. 
By  creating  is  signified  what  is  new  which  was  not  before, 
by  forming  is  signified  quality  and  by  making  effect. 

A.  10373. 
By  creating  in  the  spiritual  sense  of  the  Word  is  signi- 
fied forming,  establishing,  and  regenerating.  J.  4. 
See  Psalm  li.  12.                                                   R.  254. 
To  be  created  signifies  to  be  regenerated.           T.  573. 
See  Psalm  li.  12.                                                   T.  773. 
See  Psalm  li.  12.                                                 Coro.  23. 
19-21.     Sanctuary  stands  for  heaven  as  to  the  truth  of 
faith.                                                                          A.  8330. 

20.  21.  The  prisoners  stand  for  those  who  are  in  vastations 
and  temptations.  A.  5037. 

20-23.  He  hears  and  has  compassion,  and  a  church  is 
formed  of  such.  P.  P. 

21.  See  Psalm  lxviii.  7.  R.  99. 
Spiritual  life  is  solely  with  those  who  go  to  the  Lord, 

and  at  the  same  time  shun  evils  as  sins.     Those  who  have 
no  spiritual  life  are  here  meant  by  the  dead,  because  spir- 
itual death  is  meant.  R.  525. 
They  are  called  the  dead,  because  spiritual  death  is 


37°  PSALM   CII. 

damnation,  and  damnation  is  the  lot  of  those  who  believe 
that  life  is  from  nature,  and  thus  that  the  light  of  nature 
is  the  light  of  life,  and  thereby  hide,  suffocate,  and  ex- 
tinguish every  idea  of  God,  of  heaven,  and  of  eternal  life. 

I.  10. 

24,  25.  Let  Him  not  fail  in  temptations  before  that  comes 
to  pass.  P.  P. 

25,  28,  29.     See  Psalm  lxi.  7,  8.  A.  2906. 

26,  See  Psalm  xi.  2,  3.  R.  902. 
26,  27.     A  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth,  and  that  the  first 

heaven  and  the  first  earth  were  passed  away. 

D.  P.,  Page  7. 

26-29.  By  the  earth  which  God  hath  formed,  and  by  the 
heavens  the  work  of  His  hands  which  shall  perish  are 
signified  the  same  as  in  Rev.  xxi.  1.  Since  the  face  of 
the  earth  and  heavens  in  the  spiritual  world  will  be  alto- 
gether changed  at  the  day  of  the  last  judgment,  and  there 
will  be  a  new  earth  and  new  heavens  in  the  place  of  the 
former,  therefore  it  is  said,  that  they  shall  all  wax  old  — 
see  verse  27.  They  are  compared  to  garments,  because 
garments  signify  external  truths,  such  as  appertain  to 
those  who  are  in  the  former  heaven  and  former  earth, 
which  heaven  and  earth  do  not  continue  or  endure,  be- 
cause they  are  not  in  internal  truths.  The  state  of  Divine 
truth  which  shall  endure  from  the  Lord  to  eternity  is  sig- 
nified by  verse  28.  The  years  of  God  signify  states  of 
Divine  truth.  Verse  29  signifies  that  angels  and  the  men 
who  are  receptacles  of  Divine  truth  shall  have  eternal 
life,  and  that  the  truths  of  doctrine  with  them  shall  endure 
to  eternity.  E.  768. 

That  heaven  and  the  church  perish  not,  but  may  be 
established.  P.  P. 

Verses  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  33. 

28.  Years  stand  for  times,  and  it  is  shown  that  with  God 
there  is  no  time.  A.  893. 


PSALM  CIII.  371 


PSALM  CIII. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     Bless  Jehovah,  O  my  soul; 

And  all  that  is  within  me,  bless  his  holy  name. 

2.  Bless  Jehovah,  O  my  soul, 
And  forget  not  all  his  benefits: 

3.  Who  forgiveth  all  thine  iniquities; 
Who  healeth  all  thy  diseases; 

4.  Who  redeemeth  thy  life  from  destruction; 

WTho  crowneth  thee  with  lovingkindness  and  tender 
mercies; 

5.  Who  satisfieth  thy  desire  with  good  things, 
So  that  thy  youth  is  renewed  like  the  eagle. 

6.  Jehovah  executeth  righteous  acts, 

And  judgments  for  all  that  are  oppressed. 

7.  He  made  known  his  ways  unto  Moses, 
His  doings  unto  the  children  of  Israel. 

8.  Jehovah  is  merciful  and  gracious, 

Slow  to  anger,  and  abundant  in  lovingkindness. 

9.  He  will  not  always  chide; 

Neither  will  he  keep  his  anger  for  ever. 

10.  He  hath  not  dealt  with  us  after  our  sins, 
Nor  rewarded  us  after  our  iniquities. 

11.  For  as  the  heavens  are  high  above  the  earth, 

So  great  is  his  lovingkindness  toward  them  that  fear 
him. 

12.  As  far  as  the  east  is  from  the  west, 

So  far  hath  he  removed  our  transgressions  from  us. 

13.  Like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children, 
So  Jehovah  pitieth  them  that  fear  him. 

14.  For  he  knoweth  our  frame; 

He  remembereth  that  we  are  dust. 

15.  As  for  man,  his  days  are  as  grass; 

As  a  flower  of  the  field,  so  he  flourisheth. 

16.  For  the  wind  passeth  over  it,  and  it  is  gone; 
And  the  place  thereof  shall  know  it  no  more. 

17.  But  the  lovingkindness  of  Jehovah  is  from  everlasting 

to  everlasting  upon  them  that  fear  him, 
And  his  righteousness  unto  children's  children; 


372  PSALM   CIII. 

18.  To  such  as  keep  his  covenant, 

And  to  those  that  remember  his  precepts  to  do  them. 

19.  Jehovah  hath  established  his  throne  in  the  heavens; 
And  his  kingdom  ruleth  over  all. 

20.  Bless  Jehovah,  ye  his  angels, 

That  are  mighty  in  strength,  that  fulfil  his  word, 
Hearkening  unto  the  voice  of  his  word. 

21.  Bless  Jehovah,  all  ye  his  hosts. 

Ye  ministers  of  his,  that  do  his  pleasure. 

22.  Bless  Jehovah,  all  ye  his  works, 
In  all  places  of  his  dominion: 
Bless  Jehovah,  O  my  soul. 

Psalm  CIII. 

1.    By  the  bowels  —  inward  parts  —  are  signified  the  in- 
teriors of  the  thought.  E.  622. 
1-7.     Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord  on  account  of  redemption 
and  reformation.  P.  P. 
1,  4.     These  passages  prove  that  Jehovah  and  the  Lord 
are  one.                                                                    R.  281. 
To  redeem  from  destruction  or  from  the  pit,  is  to  lib- 
erate from  damnation.                                               E.  328. 
I,  22.     Soul  is  used  to  indicate  the  life  of  the  spirit  of  man, 
which  is  called  his  spiritual  life.                               E.  750. 
4.    It  is  plain  that  by  Jehovah  in  the  Word  no  other  is  meant 
than  the  Lord.                                                         A.  6281. 
See  Psalm  xix.  15.                                                 R.  613. 
Verse  partly  quoted.                                 D.  P.,  Page  87. 

4,  5.     By  a  boy  or  child  is  signified  innocence.       A.  5236. 

5.  To  satisfy  the  mouth  with  good  is  to  give  understand- 
ing by  knowledges,  hence  the  comparison  is  made  with 
the  eagle.  R.  244. 

To  have  the  youth  renewed  as  the  eagle  means  as  to 

intelligence.  E.  281. 

8.     They  who  are  in  humiliation  of  heart  implore  the  Lord's 

mercy,  but  they  who  are  in  humiliation  of  thought  beseech 


psalm  cm.  373 

His  grace,  and  if  these  implore  mercy  it  is  either  in  a  state 
of  temptation,  or  is  done  with  the  mouth  only  and  not 
from  the  heart.  That  there  is  a  distinction  in  the  Word 
between  mercy  and  grace  is  evident  from  many  passages 
where  Jehovah  is  called  merciful  and  gracious.       A.  598. 

See  Psalm  vi.  2.  A.  8286. 

They  who  are  in  the  Lord's  spiritual  kingdom  speak  of 
favour  or  grace,  and  they  who  are  in  the  Lord's  celestial 
kingdom  speak  of  mercy.  A.  10577. 

8-18.  These  are  from  mercy,  because  He  knows  the  in- 
firmities of  man.  P.  P. 

14.  In  general,  imagination  is  what  a  man  conceives  out 
of  the  heart  or  will,  and  also  from  thought  or  persuasion. 
(The  word  frame  has  also  been  rendered  "formation" 
"imagination"  and  "fashioning.")  A.  586 

15.  See  Psalm  xxxvii.  2.  ■  R.  401 
See  Psalm  xxxvii.  2.  E.  507 

17.  See  Psalm  xc.  2.  E.  468 

17,  18.     See  Psalm  lxxviii.  10.  A.  9396 

See  Psalm  1.  5,  16.  E.  701 

19.  In  Matthew  xxiii.  22  it  is  expressly  said  that  heaven 
is  God's  throne.  A.  5313. 

Heaven  is  not  heaven  from  the  things  belonging  to  the 
angels,  but  from  the  Divine  of  the  Lord.  The  Lord's 
throne  signifies  heaven.  R.  14. 

That  by  throne  is  here  signified  heaven  is  evident. 
Throne  is  predicated  of  the  Lord's  Divine  in  the  heavens, 
which  also  occasionally,  appears  as  a  throne  to  those  to 
whom  it  is  given  to  look  into  heaven.  E.  253. 

19-22.  The  heavens  and  the  earth  are  His,  therefore  He 
should  be  celebrated.  P.  P. 

20.  In  the  spiritual  world  the  power  of  angels  is  so  great, 
that  if  I  (Swedenborg)  should  bring  forward  all  that  I 
have  seen  in  regard  to  it,  it  would  exceed  belief.  Angels 
because  they  have  such  power  are  called  powers.     H.  229. 

20,  21.  Angels  are  called  hosts  from  the  truths  and  goods 
in  which  they  are.  A.  7988. 


374  PSALM  CIII. 

21.     See  Psalm  xxxiii.  6.  A.  3448. 

The  goods  and  truths  of  heaven  and  the  church  are  sig- 
nified by  the  hosts  or  armies  of  the  heavens.         R.  447. 

See  Psalm  xl.  9.  E.  295. 

The  reason  why  the  angels  gathered  together  or  con- 
sociated  are  called  armies  is,  because  by  angels  as  by 
armies  are  signified  Divine  truths  and  goods,  since  they 
are  recipients  thereof  from  the  Lord.  E.  573. 

21,  22.  They  are  called  ministers  —  Isaiah  lxi.  6,  Jere- 
miah xxxiii.  21 — because  the  priests  represented  the 
Lord  as  to  Divine  good.  R.  128. 

They  are  called  the  host  of  Jehovah  who  are  in  truths, 
and  ministers  who  are  in  goods,  wherefore  it  is  said  that 
they  do  His  will.  To  do  the  will  of  the  Lord  is  to  act 
from  the  good  of  love.  They  who  are  in  the  good  of  love 
are  in  the  Word  called  priests.  E.  155. 


PSALM  CIV. 


1.  Bless  Jehovah,  O  my  soul. 

O  Jehovah  my  God,  thou  art  very  great; 
Thou  art  clothed  with  honor  and  majesty: 

2.  Who  coverest  thyself  with  light  as  with  a  garment; 
Who  stretchest  out  the  heavens  like  a  curtain; 

3.  Who  layeth  the  beams  of  his  chambers  in  the  waters; 
Who  maketh  the  clouds  his  chariot; 

Wrio  walketh  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind; 

4.  Who  maketh  winds  his  messengers; 
Flames  of  fire  his  ministers; 

5.  Who  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth, 
That  it  should  not  be  moved  for  ever. 

6.  Thou  coveredst  it  with  the  deep  as  with  a  vesture; 
The  waters  stood  above  the  mountains. 

7.  At  thy  rebuke  they  fled; 

At  the  voice  of  thy  thunder  they  hasted  away 


PSALM   CIV. 


375 


8.  (The  mountains  rose,  the  valleys  sank  down) 
Unto  the  place  which  thou  hadst  founded  for  them. 

9.  Thou  hast  set  a  bound  that  they  may  not  pass  over; 
That  they  turn  not  again  to  cover  the  earth. 

10.  He  sendeth  forth  springs  into  the  valleys; 
They  run  among  the  mountains; 

11.  They  give  drink  to  every  beast  of  the  field; 
The  wild  asses  quench  their  thirst. 

12.  By  them  the  birds  of  the  heavens  have  their  habitation; 
They  sing  among  the  branches. 

13.  He  watereth  the  mountains  from  his  chambers: 
The  earth  is  filled  with  the  fruit  of  thy  works. 

14.  He  causeth  the  grass  to  grow  for  the  cattle, 
And  herb  for  the  service  of  man; 

That  he  may  bring  forth  food  out  of  the  earth, 

15.  And  wine  that  maketh  glad  the  heart  of  man, 
And  oil  to  make  his  face  to  shine, 

And  bread  that  strengthened  man's  heart. 

16.  The  trees  of  Jehovah  are  filled  with  moisture, 
The  cedars  of  Lebanon,  which  he  hath  planted; 

17.  Where  the  birds  make  their  nests: 

As  for  the  stork,  the  fir-trees  are  her  house. 

18.  The  high  mountains  are  for  the  wild  goats; 
The  rocks  are  a  refuge  for  the  conies. 

19.  He  appointed  the  moon  for  seasons: 
The  sun  knoweth  his  going  down. 

20.  Thou  makest  darkness,  and  it  is  night, 
Wherein  all  the  beasts  of  the  forest  creep  forth. 

21.  The  young  lions  roar  after  their  prey, 
And  seek  their  food  from  God. 

22.  The  sun  ariseth,  they  get  them  away, 
And  lay  them  down  in  their  dens. 

23.  Man  goeth  forth  unto  his  work 
And  to  his  labor  until  the  evening. 

24.  O  Jehovah,  how  manifold  are  thy  works! 
In  wisdom  hast  thou  made  them  all: 
The  earth  is  full  of  thy  riches. 

25.  Yonder  is  the  sea,  great  and  wide, 
Wherein  are  things  creeping  innumerable, 
Both  small  and  great  beasts. 


376  PSALM   CIV. 

26.  There  go  the  ships; 

There  is  leviathan,  whom  thou  hast  formed  to  play 
therein. 

27.  These  wait  all  for  thee, 

That  thou  mayest  give  them  their  food  in  due  season. 

28.  Thou  givest  unto  them,  they  gather; 

Thou  openest  thy  hand,  they  are  satisfied  with  good. 

29.  Thou  hidest  thy  face,  they  are  troubled; 
Thou  takest  away  their  breath,  they  die, 
And  return  to  their  dust. 

Thou  sendest  forth  thy  Spirit,  they  are  created; 
And  thou  renewest  the  face  of  the  ground. 
Let  the  glory  of  Jehovah  endure  for  ever- 
Let  Jehovah  rejoice  in  his  works: 
Who  looketh  on  the  earth,  and  it  trembleth; 
He  toucheth  the  mountains,  and  they  smoke. 
I  will  sing  unto  Jehovah  as  long  as  I  live : 
I  will  sing  praise  to  my  God  while  I  have  any  being. 
Let  my  meditation  be  sweet  unto  him: 
I  will  rejoice  in  Jehovah. 
Let  sinners  be  consumed  out  of  the  earth, 
And  let  the  wicked  be  no  more. 
Bless  Jehovah,  O  my  soul. 
Praise  ye  Jehovah. 

Psalm  CIV. 

General  Subject.     Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord.       P.  P. 
See  Psalm  viii.  6.  R.  249.' 

By  being  clothed  with  honour  and  majesty,  when  pre- 
dicated of  Jehovah,  is  signified  His  girding  himself  with 
Divine  truth  and  Divine  good,  for  these  proceed  from  Him 
and  thence  gird  Him,  and  thus  constitute  the  heavens, 
therefore  in  the  Word  they  are  called  His  garments  and 
His  covering.  E.  288. 

2.  To  cover  himself  with  light  as  with  a  garment  stands 
for  Divine  truths.  To  stretch  out  the  heavens  as  a  cur- 
tain means  to  enlarge  the  heavens  by  the  influx  of  Divine 
truth,  whence  comes  intelligence  and  wisdom.      A.  9595. 


30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 


PSALM   CIV. 


377 


1-4.    From  Him  are  Divine  truths,  or  the  Word.       P.  P. 

1-6,  9.  The  glory  and  honour  with  which  Jehovah  clothed 
himself,  that  is  the  Lord,  is  Divine  truth.  The  light  with 
which  He  covered  as  with  a  garment  is  the  Divine  truth, 
such  as  it  is  in  heaven  and  in  the  church.  Verse  3  the 
chambers  are  the  heavenly  societies,  and  the  waters  are 
truths.  The  clouds  are  truths  from  which  doctrine  is 
derived,  chariot  stands  for  doctrine.  Verse  5  the  earth 
is  the  church.  The  basis  on  which  it  is  founded  are 
truths  in  ultimates,  such  as  are  those  of  the  Word  in  its 
literal  sense,  hence  it  is  said  that  they  shall  not  be  moved 
to  eternity.  Verse  6  the  abyss  is  scientific  truth  for  the 
natural  man.  Hence  the  meaning  of  verse  9  is  evident. 
The  limit  is  the  ultimate  of  Divine  truth  into  which  the 
interior  things  terminate,  and  on  which,  as  on  a  prop  and 
foundation,  they  subsist  and  rest.  A.  9433. 

1,  2,  19,  20.  The  moon  stands  for  intelligence  and  the  sun 
for  wisdom  from  the  Lord,  the  going  down  of  the  sun  for 
the  obscurity  of  each.  Making  darkness  and  its  becom- 
ing night  signifies  the  moderating  of  a  state  of  obscurity. 

A.  3693. 

2.  Garments  are  truths.  A.  5954. 
By  stretching  out  is  signified  omnipotence,  that  is  that 

He  enlarges  the  limits  of  heaven,  and  fills  the  inhabitants 
with  life  and  wisdom.  A.  7673. 

By  stretching  out  the  heavens  is  understood  to  regen- 
erate man,  and  thereby  to  create  or  form  a  new  intellect 
in  which  is  a  new  will,  which  is  the  heaven  itself  of  the 
spiritual  man,  wherein  the  Lord  dwells  with  that  man. 

A.  9596. 

Garments  in  the  Word  also  signify  truths.         H.  129. 

Since  light  signifies  the  Divine  truth,  and  a  garment  the 
same  it  is  therefore  said  —  see  verse  2.  R.  166. 

See  Psalm  xlv.  9.  E.  195. 

t,  3.     Horses  and  chariots  intellectuals  and  doctrinals  of 

truth.  A.  5321. 

A  chariot  signifies  doctrine.  R.  437 


378  PSALM  CIV. 

2-4.     By  the  light  with  which  Jehovah  is  said  to  cover 

himself  is  signified  the  Divine  truth  in  the  heavens,  which 

is  called  His  garment,  because  it  proceeds  from  Him  as  the 

sun,  and  so  is  without  and  about  Him.  E.  283. 

3.     Wings  stand  for  the  Divine  truth  and  its  power. 

A.  8764. 

Waters  signify  truths,  chambers  doctrinal  tenets  and  a 

chariot  doctrine,  all  of  which  are  called  clouds,  because 

they  are  from  the  literal  sense  of  the  Word.  R.  24. 

The  wings  of  the  wind  are  the  Divine  truths  which  flow 

in.  R.  343. 

See  Psalm  lxviii.  5.  E.  36. 

These  few  words  are  descriptive  of  heaven  and  the 

church,  and  at  the  same  time,  of  doctrine  from  the  Word. 

E.  594. 

3,  4.  By  waters,  clouds,  and  wings  of  the  wind  is  signified 
Divine  truth  in  ultimates,  which  is  as  the  truth  of  the  literal 
sense  of  the  Word.  Chariots  stand  for  truth  of  doctrine. 
By  verse  4  is  understood  making  them  receptacles  of 
Divine  truth  and  Divine  good,  angels  those  who  are  in 
the  Lord's  spiritual  kingdom,  they  being  recipients  of 
Divine  truth.  It  is  said,  He  makest  them  spirits.  Min- 
isters those  in  the  Lord's  celestial  kingdom,  and  recipients 
of  Divine  good,  hence  He  makest  them  a  flaming  fire. 
Fire  the  good  of  love  and  truth  thence  derived.     E.  419. 

4.  A  flaming  fire  stands  for  the  celestial-spiritual.     A.  934. 
To  make  angels  spirits  means  receptacles  of  Divine 

truth,  flaming  fires  receptacles  of  Divine  good  or  Divine 
love.  t  A.  9818. 

Angel-spirits  are  they  who  are  in  truths,  and  angel- 
ministers  they  who  are  in  goods.  A  flaming  fire  signifies 
the  good  of  love.  R.  128. 

The  wind  of  Jehovah  in  the  Word  signifies  Divine  truth, 
and  His  fire  Divine  good.  E.  130. 

By  Jehovah  making  His  angels  spirits  is  signified  that 
they  were  recipients  of  Divine  truth.     By  making  His 


PSALM  civ.  379 

ministers  a  flaming  fire  that  they  are  recipients  of  Divine 
good.  E.  155. 

Because  the  Divine  truth  is  communicated  to  men  also 
mediately  by  angels,  it  is  therefore  said,  who  maketh  His 
angels  spirits.  E.  183. 

By  making  His  angels  spirits  is  signified  their  being 
made  recipients  of  Divine  truths,  consequently  Divine 
truths  themselves.  His  ministers  a  flame  of  fire  —  re- 
cipients of  Divine  good,  consequently  Divine  good  itself. 

E.  504. 

5,  6.     See  Psalm  xxiv.  2.  R.  238. 

See  Psalm  xi.  2,  3.  R.  902. 

By  the  earth  is  here  signified  the  church,  the  founda- 
tions are  the  knowledges  of  truth  and  good,  the  deep  sig- 
nifies sensual  scientifics,  which  are  the  ultimate  of  the 
natural  man,  and  because  it  is  such,  Jehovah  is  said  to 
have  covered  it  as  with  a  garment.  E.  275. 

5-9.  Of  the  sense  of  the  letter  of  the  Word,  on  which  the 
church  is  founded.  P.  P. 

5-10,  13.     See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  R.  336. 

By  these  words,  understood  in  the  spiritual  sense,  is 
described  the  progress  of  regeneration,  or  the  formation 
of  the  church  in  man.  By  verse  5  is  signified  the  church 
in  man  with  its  boundaries  or  borders,  and  its  termina- 
tions. By  verse  6  is  signified  that  they  are  encompassed 
or  surrounded  with  scientifics  in  the  natural  man  as  to 
its  interiors,  where  the  spiritual  things  of  the  church 
reside.  The  deep  signifies  scientifics  in  general,  and 
garments  scientific  truths  which  are  surrounding  and  in- 
vesting. By  the  waters  stand  above  the  mountains  are 
signified  falsities  from  the  delights  of  the  natural  loves, 
which  delights  in  themselves  are  evils.  The  mountains 
stand  for  the  evils  of  those  loves,  and  waters  for  falsities 
thence  derived.  Verse  7  means  that  falsities  are  dissi- 
pated by  truths,  and  evils  by  goods  from  heaven.  By 
verse  8  is  signified  that  in  the  place  of  natural  loves  and 


380  PSALM    CIV. 

8  of  evils  thence  derived,  are  inserted  celestial  loves  and  the 
goods  thence  derived,  and  instead  of  falsities  general 
truths  are  admitted.  By  verse  9  is  signified  that  falsities 
and  evils  shall  be  kept  without,  separated  from  truths 
and  goods,  and  limited  that  they  may  not  flow  in  again 
and  destroy.  By  verse  10  is  signified  that  the  Lord  from 
the  truths  of  the  Word  gives  intelligence  every  thing  of 
which  originates  in  the  good  of  celestial  love.  Springs 
signify  the  truths  of  the  Word.  By  verse  13  is  signified 
that  all  goods  are  nourished  by  truths  from  heaven,  to 
water  being  predicated  of  truths.  Mountains  stand  for 
the  goods  of  love,  and  chambers  for  the  heavens  whence 
they  flow.  By  the  earth  is  satisfied  is  signified  that  from 
the  Divine  operation  the  church  continually  increases  in 
man.  The  fruit  of  works,  when  predicated  of  the  Lord, 
signifies  the  Divine  operation,  and  the  earth  the  church 
in  man,  the  formation  of  which  is  here  treated  of.  To  be 
satisfied  means  continual  increase.  E.  405. 

6.     See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  E.  538. 

10,  11.  Springs  stand  for  knowledges,  the  beasts  of  the 
fields  for  goods,  and  wild-asses  for  the  truths  of  reason. 

A.  1949. 

10-12.  Sending  springs  into  the  valleys  signifies  the  giving 
of  intelligence  by  truths  derived  from  the  Word,  going  up 
by  the  mountains  their  being  grounded  in  the  good  of 
love.  The  instruction  of  those  of  the  church  who  are  in 
good  is  signified  by  the  springs  giving  drink  to  every  beast 
of  the  field,  the  instruction  of  the  same  who  are  in  truths, 
by  the  wild-asses  quenching  their  thirst.  That  thence 
the  understanding  is  perfected  is  signified  by  verse  12. 
By  the  beasts  of  the  field,  in  the  spiritual  sense,  are  under- 
stood the  gentiles  who  are  in  the  good  of  life,  by  wild  asses 
natural  truth,  by  thirst  a  desire  for  truths,  by  the  birds  of 
heaven  thoughts  from  the  understanding.  E.  483. 

10-23.  From  this  all  are  taught,  every  one  according  to 
the  state  of  his  intelligence.  P.  P. 


PSALM   CIV.  381 

10-12,  14,  20-25.  Treating  of  the  Lord.  The  establish- 
ment of  the  church  with  the  gentiles  is  described.  By 
wild  beasts,  beasts  and  birds  such  things  are  signified  as 
appertain  to  the  man  of  the  church.  E.  650. 

10-12,  16,  17.  Such  things  as  these  would  never  have  been 
said  in  the  Divine  Word,  unless  each  of  them  were  corre- 
spondences of  things  spiritual  and  celestial,  and  thence 
holy.  By  fountains  are  understood  the  truths  of  the 
Word,  by  rivers  intelligence  thence  derived,  by  mountains 
the  goods  of  love,  by  the  wild  beasts  of  the  fields  the 
affections  of  truth,  by  wild  asses  the  rational,  and  by  the 
birds  of  heaven  thoughts  from  Divine  truths.         E.  1100. 

10,  11,  13.  Fountains  stand  for  truths,  mountains  for  the 
love  of  good  and  truth,  to  give  drink  for  instructing, 
beasts  of  the  field  for  those  who  live  from  truths,  wild 
asses  for  those  who  are  only  in  rational  truth.        A.  2702. 

10,  11,  14,  20,  25.     See  Psalm  viii.  7-9.  R.  567. 

11,  12.  See  Psalm  viii.  7-9.  R.  757. 

13.  To  water  the  mountains  in  the  spiritual  sense  is  to 
bless  those  who  are  in  love  to  the  Lord,  and  in  love  toward 
the  neighbour,  hence  from  His  chambers  is  from  the  in- 
terior parts  of  heaven.  A.  5694. 

14.  The  beast  stands  for  the  wild  animal  of  the  earth,  and 
at  the  same  time  for  the  fowl  of  the  heavens.  A.  58. 

The  herb  stands  for  the  produce  of  the  field,  and  by 
it  in  the  internal  sense  is  here  signified  truth.       A.  7571. 

14.  15.     See  Psalm  xxxvii.  35.  E.  507. 
14-16.     Holy  truth  is  signified  by  new  wine  and  by  wine. 

R.  316. 
Wine  signifies  the  truth  of  the  church.  E.  376. 

15.  See  Psalm  xxiii.  5.  A.  9954. 
See  Psalm  xcii.  11.  R.  779. 
See  Psalm  xlv.  8.  E.  375. 

16.  See  Psalm  i.  3.  R.  400. 
That  a  tree  signifies  man  is  evident.  T.  468. 

See  Psalm  i.  3.  E.  109. 


382  PSALM   CIV. 

16  The  all  of  love  and  of  faith  proceeds  from  the  Lord,  so 
also  do  all  knowledges  of  good  and  truth  which  con- 
stitute and  form  love  and  faith  proceed  from  Him.  All 
these  knowledges  look  to  the  Lord  and  proceed  from 
Him.  This  is  what  is  signified  by  the  tree  of  life  in  the 
midst  of  the  paradise  of  God,  therefore  all  the  trees  in 
paradise  are  called  trees  of  life,  and  in  David  trees  of 
Jehovah.  Every  man  in  the  midst  of  whom,  that  is,  in 
whom  is  the  Lord  is  understood.  E.  no. 

16,  17.  The  trees  of  Jehovah,  and  the  cedars  of  Lebanon 
stand  for  the  spiritual  man,  the  birds  for  his  rational  or 
natural  truths,  which  are  as  nests.  A.  776. 

20.  See  Psalm  lxxx.  14.  A.  9335. 

21,  22.     See  Psalm  xxxiv.  10,  n.  A.  6367. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  12.  R.  241. 

By  these  words  is  described  the  state  of  the  angels  of 
heaven,  wrhen  they  are  not  in  intense  love  and  in  wisdom 
thence  derived,  and  when  they  return  into  that  state,  the 
former  state  is  described  by  lions  roaring  after  their  prey, 
and  seeking  their  meat  from  God.  By  lions  are  under- 
stood the  angels  of  heaven,  by  their  roaring  desire,  by 
prey  and  food  the  good  which  is  of  love,  and  the  truth 
which  is  of  wisdom.  By  the  sun  arising  is  understood 
the  Lord  as  to  love  and  thence  wisdom,  by  their  gather- 
ing themselves  together  their  return  into  a  celestial  state, 
and  by  lying  down  in  their  dens  a  state  of  tranquillity  and 
peace.  E.  278. 

24-26.  Here  ships  stand  for  inner  knowledges  and  doc- 
trines, that  leviathan  for  the  generals  of  outer  knowledges. 
Because  ships  are  inner  knowledges  and  doctrines,  it 
is  said  in  Psalm  cvii.  22-24  that  they  wrho  go  down  to  the 
sea  in  ships  see  the  works  of  Jehovah,  and  His  wonders 
in  the  deep,  for  they  see  these  things  who  are  in  knowl- 
edges and  doctrines  from  the  Word.  A.  6385. 

24-27.  Such  things  are  meant  as  are  with  the  men  of  the 
church,  for  these  are  they  wTho  wait  for  Jehovah.     By 


PSALM   CIV.  383 

the  great  wide  sea  is  signified  the  external  or  natural  man 
who  receives  goods  and  truths  scientifically,  great  being 
predicated  of  the  good,  and  wide  or  broad  of  the  truth 
therein.  By  things  creeping  scientifics  which  are  alive, 
by  animals  great  and  small  the  knowledges  of  good  and 
truth  of  every  kind,  superior  and  inferior,  in  general  and 
in  particular.  By  ships  are  understood  doctrines,  by 
leviathan  or  whale  all  things  of  the  natural  man  in  the 
aggregate.  It  is  said  to  play  in  the  sea  from  the  delight 
of  knowing,  and  thereby  becoming  wise.  As  man  by 
virtue  of  these  things  is  affected  with  the  desire  of  know- 
ing and  understanding  it  is  therefore  said  —  see  verse  27. 
To  wait  or  to  expect  means  to  desire,  meat  or  food  science 
and  intelligence.  Man  himself  does  not  desire  these, 
but  by  virtue  of  such  things  as  are  with  him  from  the  Lord, 
consequently  these  are  what  desire  in  man,  although  it 
appears  as  if  man  desires  from  himself.  E.  514. 

24-30.  From  this  are  the  knowledges  of  truth  and  good, 
from  which  is  spiritual  nourishment.  P.  P. 

24,  25,  27,  28.  Here  in  the  internal  sense  by  sea  are  meant 
spiritual  things,  by  things  creeping  all  things  which  live 
therefrom.  Their  enjoyment  is  signified  by  giving  them 
food  in  due  season,  and  by  their  being  filled  with  good. 

A.  994. 

25,  26.  Sea  in  the  internal  sense  stands  for  the  aggregation 
of  scientific  truths,  thus  for  what  is  external  with  man 
and  in  the  church,  ships  for  knowledges  and  doctrinals 
from  the  Word,  leviathan  for  scientifics  in  general,  and 
playing  for  the  delight  thence  derived.  A.  10416. 

26,  The  knowledges  of  truth  and  good  are  signified  by 
ships.  R.  406. 

See  Psalm  lxxiv.  14.  E.  455. 

27,  28.     Here  spiritual  and  celestial  food  is  meant.  A.  680. 

Celestial  and  spiritual  food  is  meant  in  the  internal 
sense.  A.  5147- 

28,  30.     See  Psalm  li.  12.  R.  254. 


384  PSALM   CIV. 

28  See  Psalm  li.  12.  T.  573. 

See  Psalm  li.  12.  T.  773. 

That  to  create  here  stands  for  to  reform  is  evident.     By 

verse  28  is  signified  that  they  receive  the  good  which 

flows  from  the  Lord.     By  verse  30  that  they  are  reformed 

as  to  life  according  to  Divine  truth  and  the  establishment 

of  the  church.  E.  294 

See  Psalm  li.  12.  Coro.  23 

29.     See  Psalm  xxii.  30.  A.  278 

See  Psalm  iv.  7.  A.  10579 

By  the  spirit  is  meant  the  life  of  man.  L.  47 

See  Psalm  xxvii.  8,  9.  R.  939 

To  expire  is  frequently  expressed  in  the  Word  by  yield 

ing  or  giving  out  the  spirit.  E.  183 

See  Psalm  xiii.  2.  E.  412 

29,  30.    See  Psalm  xxxiii.  6.  A.  97 

See  Psalm  xxxiii.  6.  A.  8286 

See  Psalm  xxxiii.  6.  A.  9229 

Spirit  in  the  general  sense  stands  for  the  life  of  respira- 
tion of  man.  A.  9818 

30.  See  Psalm  cii.  19.  A.  16 
See  Psalm  cii.  19.                                      A.  10373 

The  spirit  of  Jehovah  is  the  Divine  truth  proceeding 

from  the  Lord,  to  be  created  means  to  be  created  anew, 

that  is  to  be  regenerated,  to  renew  the  faces  of  the  ground 

is  to  reform  and  establish  the  church,  the  faces  of  the 

ground  signify  wheresoever  anything  of  the  church  can 

be  received.  A.  10570 

See  Psalm  cii.  19.  J.  4 

See  Psalm  xxxi.  6.  L.  49 

31-35.     May  the  good  be  saved  and  the  evil  perish!    P.  P 

32.     See  Psalm  lxxvii.  18,  19.  A.  8816 

See  Psalm  xviii.  9,  10.  E.  539 

35.     By  Hallelujah  in  the    Hebrew  language  is  signified 

"Praise  God,"  thus  it  was  an  expression  of  thanksgiving, 

and  confession,  and  celebration  of  the  Lord  from  joy  of 

heart.  R.  803. 


PSALM  CV.  385 

By  Hallelujah  in  the  original  language  is  signified, 
praise  ye  God,  consequently  also,  glorify  ye  the  Lord.  It 
was  an  expression  of  joy  in  confessions  and  worship. 

E.  1197. 


PSALM  CV. 


1.  Oh  give  thanks  unto  Jehovah,  call  upon  his  name; 
Make  known  among  the  peoples  his  doings. 

2.  Sing  unto  him,  sing  praises  unto  him; 
Talk  ye  of  all  his  marvellous  works. 

3.  Glory  ye  in  his  holy  name: 

Let  the  heart  of  them  rejoice  that  seek  Jehovah. 

4.  Seek  ye  Jehovah  and  his  strength; 
Seek  his  face  evermore. 

5.  Remember  his  marvellous  works  that  he  hath  done, 
His  wonders,  and  the  judgments  of  his  mouth, 

6.  O  ye  seed  of  Abraham  his  servant, 
Ye  children  of  Jacob,  his  chosen  ones. 

7.  He  is  Jehovah  our  God: 

His  judgments  are  in  all  the  earth. 

8.  He  hath  remembered  his  covenant  for  ever, 

The  word  which  he  commanded  to  a  thousand  genera- 
tions, 

9.  The  covenant  which  he  made  with  Abraham, 
And  his  oath  unto  Isaac, 

10.  And  confirmed  the  same  unto  Jacob  for  a  statute, 
To  Israel  for  an  everlasting  covenant, 

11.  Saying,  Unto  thee  will  I  give  the  land  of  Canaan, 
The  lot  of  your  inheritance; 

12.  When  they  were  but  a  few  men  in  number, 
Yea,  very  few,  and  sojourners  in  it. 

13.  And  they  went  about  from  nation  to  nation, 
From  one  kingdom  to  another  people. 

14.  He  suffered  no  man  to  do  them  wrong; 
Ye?,  he  reproved  kings  for  their  sakes, 

15.  Saying,  Touch  not  mine  anointed  ones, 
And  do  my  prophets  no  harm. 


386  PSALM  cv. 

1 6.  And  he  called  for  a  famine  upon  the  land; 
He  brake  the  whole  staff  of  bread. 

17.  He  sent  a  man  before  them; 
Joseph  was  sold  for  a  servant: 

18.  His  feet  they  hurt  with  fetters: 
He  was  laid  in  chains  oj  iron, 

19.  Until  the  time  that  his  word  came  to  pass, 
The  word  of  Jehovah  tried  him. 

20.  The  king  sent  and  loosed  him; 

Even  the  ruler  of  peoples,  and  let  him  go  free. 

21.  He  made  him  lord  of  his  house, 
And  ruler  of  all  his  substance; 

22.  To  bind  his  princes  at  his  pleasure, 
And  teach  his  elders  wisdom. 

23.  Israel  also  came  into  Egypt; 

And  Jacob  sojourned  in  the  land  of  Ham. 

24.  And  he  increased  his  people  greatly, 

And  made  them  stronger  than  their  adversaries. 

25.  He  turned  their  heart  to  hate  his  people, 
To  deal  subtly  with  his  servants. 

26.  He  sent  Moses  his  servant, 

And  Aaron  whom  he  had  chosen. 

27.  They  set  among  them  his  signs, 
And  wonders  in  the  land  of  Ham. 

28.  He  sent  darkness,  and  made  it  dark; 
And  they  rebelled  not  against  his  words. 

29.  He  turned  their  waters  into  blood, 
And  slew  their  fish. 

30.  Their  land  swarmed  with  frogs 
In  the  chambers  of  their  kings. 

31.  He  spake,  and  there  came  swarms  of  flies, 
And  lice  in  all  their  borders. 

32.  He  gave  them  hail  for  rain, 
And  flaming  fire  in  their  land. 

33.  He  smote  their  vines  also  and  their  fig-trees, 
And  brake  the  trees  of  their  borders. 

34.  He  spake,  and  the  locust  came, 

And  the  grasshopper,  and  that  without  numbej, 

35.  And  did  eat  up  every  herb  in  their  land, 
And  did  eat  up  the  fruit  of  their  ground. 


PSALM   CV.  387 

36.  He  smote  also  all  the  first-born  in  their  land, 
The  chief  of  all  their  strength. 

37.  And  he  brought  them  forth  with  silver  and  gold; 
And  there  was  not  one  feeble  person  among  his  tribes. 

38.  Egypt  was  glad  when  they  departed; 

For  the  fear  of  them  had  fallen  upon  them. 

39.  He  spread  a  cloud  for  a  covering, 
And  fire  to  give  light  in  the  night. 

40.  They  asked,  and  he  brought  quails, 

And  satisfied  them  with  the  bread  of  heaven. 

41.  He  opened  the  rock,  and  waters  gushed  out; 
They  ran  in  the  dry  places  like  a  river. 

42.  For  he  remembered  his  holy  word, 
And  Abraham  his  servant. 

43.  And  he  brought  forth  his  people  with  joy, 
And  his  chosen  with  singing. 

44.  And  he  gave  them  the  lands  of  the  nations; 

And  they  took  the  labor  of  the  peoples  in  possession: 

45.  That  they  might  keep  his  statutes, 
And  observe  his  laws. 

Praise  ye  Jehovah. 

Psalm  CV. 

General  Subject.  The  establishment  of  the  church  by 
the  Lord,  and  the  reformation  of  the  natural  man.     P.  P. 

I,  2.     See  Psalm  vii.  18.  E.  326. 

1-5.  Power  in  the  spiritual  sense  consists  in  shunning  and 
rejecting  from  one's  self  the  infernal  crew,  which  is  ef- 
fected solely  by  means  of  truths.  Thus  it  is  that  by  doing 
wonders  is  signified  that  from  the  Lord  are  all  the  means 
by  which  is  power.  A.  8304. 

1-7.  Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord  and  of  His  works  for  the 
establishment  of  the  church.  P.  P. 

4.  To  seek  the  face  of  Jehovah  means  to  seek  His  mercy. 

A.  5585. 

5,  6,  26,  42.  By  Abraham  His  servant  is  meant  the  Lord 
as  to  the  Divine  Human.  A.  3441- 


388  PSALM  cv. 

8.     See  Psalm  lxviii.  18.  A.  8715. 

8.  9.  It  is  similar  with  a  covenant  as  with  an  oath,  that 
Jehovah  or  the  Lord  does  not  make  a  covenant  with  man, 
but  when  conjunction  by  love  and  charity  is  treated  of, 
this  is  set  forth  in  act  also  as  a  covenant.  A.  2842. 

See  Psalm  1.  5,  16.  E.  701. 

8-15.     The  establishment  of  the  church  in  the  beginning, 

and  her  protection  from  falsities  of  evils.  P.  P. 

9.  The  reason  that  it  is  said  that  Jehovah  sware  is  because 
the  church  instituted  with  the  children  of  Israel  was  a 
representative  church,  and  hence  the  conjunction  of  the 
Lord  with  the  church  was  represented  by  a  covenant, 
such  as  is  made  between  two  who  swear  to  their  compact; 
on  which  account  because  an  oath  was  part  of  a  covenant, 
it  is  said  that  Jehovah  sware,  by  which  however  is  not 
meant  that  He  swear,  but  that  the  Divine  truth  attests  it. 

R.  474. 
To  swear  when  predicated  of  Jehovah  signifies  attesta- 
tion before  the  angels  concerning  the  state  of  the  church 
that  what  follows  is  Divine  truth.  E.  608. 

10.  By  confirmation  here,  which  is  signified  by  oath,  is 
meant  the  conjunction  of  the  Lord  with  those  who  are  in 
His  kingdom,  for  an  oath  is  the  confirmation  of  a  covenant, 
and  by  a  covenant  is  signified  conjunction.  A.  3375. 

11.  See  Psalm  xvi.  6.  A.  9854. 
16.     To  break  the  staff  of  bread  signifies  to  be  deprived  of 

heavenly  nourishment,  for  the  life  of  good  spirits  and 
angels  is  sustained  by  no  other  food  than  the  knowledge 
of  good  and  truth,  and  by  good  and  truth  themselves, 
from  this  is  the  signification  of  famine,  —  deprivation 
of  knowledge  of  good  —  and  of  bread  in  the  internal  sense. 

A.  1460. 
The  celestial  things  of  love  are  signified  by  bread. 

A.  2165. 
The  staff  of  bread  stands  for  support  and  power  from 
the  good  of  love.     See  also  Ezekiel  iv.  16;  v.  16,  etc. 

A.  4876. 


PSALM   CV.  389 

See  Psalm  xxiii.  4,  5.  R.  485. 

By  breaking  the  staff  of  bread  is  signified  that  good  and 

truth  shall  fail  in  the  church,  for  bread  here  signifies  both. 

E.  727. 
When  there  was  no  longer  any  truth,  P.  P. 

17,  18.     the  Lord  came,  and  they  afflicted  Him.         P.  P. 
I7_23«     Joseph  signified  the  Lord's  spiritual  kingdom,  he 
was  therefore  made  ruler  in  Egypt,  and  each  thing  sig- 
nifies such  things  as  are  of  the  Lord's  spiritual  kingdom. 

R.  360. 
By  Joseph  is  here  described  the  Lord,  how  He  was  re- 
ceived when  He  came  into  the  world,  how  He  was  tempted 
and  afterwards  made  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  how  He 
subjugated  the  hells,  reduced  the  heavens  to  order,  and 
established  the  church.  .  .  .  That  all  things  of  the  church 
then  perished  is  signified  by  verse  23.  Ham  signifying 
the  church  destroyed.  E.  448. 

17,  19-21.  That  by  Joseph  is  here  meant  the  Lord  is  plain 
from  the  several  particulars.  A.  4973. 

18.  The  soul  signifies  the  life  of  the  spirit  of  man,  which 
is  called  his  spiritual  life.  E.  750. 

19-22.  But  He  afterwards  became  the  God  of  heaven  and 
earth.  P.  P. 

23.     Egypt  is  called  the  land  of  Ham.     Ham  signifying 

the  church  destroyed.  R.  503. 

Egypt  is  called  the  land  of  Ham.  E.  654. 

23,  24.  Hence  those  who  were  in  the  church  were  natural 
and  in  knowledges.  P.  P. 

23,  27.  See  Psalm  lxxviii.  51.  Add:  Such  men  who  in 
the  Ancient  Church  were  called  Ham,  because  they  lived 
a  life  of  all  lusts,' only  prating  that  they  could  be  saved 
by  faith  howsoever  they  lived,  appeared  to  the  ancient 
people  black  from  the  heat  of  their  lusts,  and  from  this 
were  called  Ham.  A.  1063. 

23,  28,  29.     See  Psalm  v.  7.  R.  379. 

23,  36.     The  first-born  of  Egypt  is  the  doctrinal  of  faith 


390  PSALM   CV. 

and  of  charity  which  is  perverted  by  outward  knowledges. 

A.  3325- 
25-36.     therefore  their  natural  has  been  purged  from  fal- 
sities and  evils  of  every  kind  which  infested;  these  here 
treated  of.  P.  P. 

26.  Moses  is  called  a  servant  because  a  servant  is  predi- 
cated of  truths,  and  chosen  from  good.  A.  9806. 

27.  Testifications  that  a  thing  is  true  are  signified  by  signs. 

R.  598. 
See  Psalm  lxxviii.  42,  43.  E.  706. 

28.  29.  Blood  in  the  genuine  sense  signifies  the  Divine 
truth,  and  with  those  who  receive  it  truth  from  good. 
Hence  in  the  opposite  sense  it  signifies  violence  offered 
to  the  Divine  truth,  and  with  those  who  offer  it  what  is 
is  false  from  evil.  This  opposite  signification  may  appear 
by  its  being  predicated  of  the  waters  of  the  sea,  of  the 
rivers,  and  of  the  fountains  that  they  were  turned  into 
blood,  for  waters  signify  truths,  wherefore  by  blood  are 
here  signified  falsities  which  destroy  truths.  By  the  living 
souls  of  the  sea  and  by  the  fish  are  signified  scientific 
truths,  thus  by  their  dying  and  being  slain  is  signified  the 
destruction  of  those  truths.  E.  329. 

29.  By  the  fishes  of  the  rivers  of  Egypt  are  signified  those 
who  are  in  doctrinals,  and  from  -them  in  faith  separate, 
which  faith  is  only  knowledge,  on  account  of  which  separa- 
tion it  was  also  among  the  miracles  there  that  their  waters 
were  turned  into  blood,  and  that  from  this  the  fishes  died. 
Exodus  vii.   17-25.  R.  4°5- 

The  reason  why  this  was  done  in  Egypt  is  because  by 
it  is  signified  the  natural  man  as  to  scientifics,  by  the 
rivers  of  Egypt  intelligence  procured  from  scientifics,  by 
the  river  being  turned  into  blood  that  the  intelligence  was 
from  mere  falsities.  By  the  fish  dying  is  signified  that 
the  scientifics  perished  by  falsities,  for  they  live  by  truths 
but  perish  by  falsities.  The  reason  is  because  all  spiritual 
truth  is  alive,  and  all  the  life  or  soul  in  scientifics  is  thence 


PSALM  CV.  391 

derived,  wherefore  without  spiritual  truth  the  scientifics 
are  dead.  E.  513 

29,  30.  Frogs  are  reasonings  from  falsities  against  truths. 
The  chambers  of  kings  are  interior  truths,  and  in  the  op- 
posite sense  interior  falsities.  A.  7351. 

Treating  concerning  the  plagues  in  Egypt.  By  the 
waters  turned  into  blood  are  signified  truths  falsified,  by 
the  fishes  that  were  slain  the  scientific  truths  and  knowl- 
edges of  the  natural  man,  that  they  perished,. by  the  frogs 
the  reasonings  of  the  natural  man  from  falses.  The 
chambers  of  the  king  signify  interior  truths,  which  they 
perverted  by  such  reasonings.  E.  1000. 

30.  See  Psalm  lxxviii.  45.  R.  j02. 

30,  3 1.  In  the  Word  throughout  mention  is  made  of  insects 
of  various  kinds,  and  they  everywhere  signify  falses  or 
evils  in  the  extremes  or  in  the  external  sensual  of  man. 
By  frogs  of  Egypt  are  signified  reasonings  grounded  in 
falses.  A.  9331. 

31,  Lice  are  especially  the  evils  which  are  in  the  sensual, 
or  in  the  wholly  external  man.  The  correspondence  is 
such  because  lice  are  in  the  outer  skin,  and  under  filth 
and  a  scab.  A.  7419 

See  Psalm  lxxviii.  45.  A.  7441 

32,  33.     Rain  here  signifies  cursing,  hence  also  damnation 

A.  2445 
See  Psalm  lxxviii.  47-49.  A.  7553 

See  Psalm  xviii.  13,  15.  R.  399 

See  Psalm  lxxviii.  47-49.  R.  401 

These  things  are  said  concerning  Egypt  by  which  is 
signified  the  natural  man  who  is  in  falsities  and  evils. 
By  the  vine  are  signified  the  internal  or  spiritual  things 
of  the  church,  by  the  fig  tree  the  external  or  natural  things, 
by  the  trees  of  their  coasts  everything  pertaining  to  knowl- 
edge and  perception,  the  border  or  boundary  the  ultimate 
ground  into  which  interior  things  fall  and  terminate  and 
in  which  they  are  contained  together.     Trees  signifying 


392  PSALM  CV. 

32  knowledges  and  perceptions.  Since  all  these  things  were 
perverted  and  therefore  damned,  it  is  said  of  them  that 
they  wrere  smitten  and  broken,  by  which  is  signified 
destruction  and  damnation.  That  this  was  from  the 
falsities  or  evils  originating  in  the  love  of  the  world  is 
signified  by  hail  given  for  rain,  and  flaming  fire  in  their 
land,  rain  and  hail  signifying  the  falses  of  evil,  and  flam- 
ing fire  the  love  of  the  world.  E.  403. 
These  things  are  said  by  the  hail  of  Egypt,  by  which 
is  signified  the  infernal  falsity  destroying  the  truths  of 
the  church.     See  also  Psalm  lxxviii.  47~49-  E.  503. 

33.  Because  in  the  genuine  sense  a  vine  signifies  the  good 
of  the  intellectual,  and  a  fig  tree  the  good  of  the  natural 
or  what  is  the  same  a  vine  the  good  of  the  interior  man 
and  a  fig  tree  the  good  of  the  exterior,  therefore  a  fig  tree 
is  often  named  at  the  same  time  with  a  vine.        A.  51 13 

34.  See  Psalm  lxxviii.  45,  46.  A.  7643 
34,  35.     By  this  miracle  in  Egypt  vastation  by  falsities  in 

the  outermost  things  are  described,  which  when  the  in 
teriors  on  which  they  depend  are  closed  up  are  infernal 

R.  424 
See  Psalm  lxxviii.  45,  46.  E.  543 

36.  See  Psalm  lxxviii.  51.  A.  6344 

37,  39.  That  there  is  a  correspondence  between  fire  and 
love  is  known  from  this,  that  a  man  grows  warm  from 
love,  and  grows  cold  from  the  privation  of  it.  There 
is  nothing  else  that  makes  vital  heat  but  love  in  both 
senses.  R.  468. 

37-41.  Afterwards  truth  and  good,  and  protection  from 
falsities  are  granted  them.  P.  P. 

38,  39.     See  Psalm  lxxviii.  14.  E.  594. 

39.  By  a  cloud  is  meant  the  Word  in  the  sense  of  the  letter, 
which  sense  because  it  encloses  and  covers  the  spiritual 
sense  is  called  a  covering  upon  the  glory.     See  Isaiah  iv.  5. 

R.  24. 
The  cloud  appearing  in  the  day  and  the  fire  in  the  night 


PSALM  CVI.  393 

represented  the  guard  of  heaven  and  the  church  by  the 
Lord,  for  by  the  tabernacle  were  represented  heaven  and 
the  church.  The  day,  when  the  cloud  was,  signified  the 
Divine  truth  in  the  light,  and  the  night  the  same  in  the 
shade.  Lest  they  should  be  hurt  by  too  much  light  they 
were  guarded  by  a  cloud,  and  by  a  sliining  fire  lest  they 
should  be  hurt  by  too  much  shade.  E.  504. 

40.  See  Psalm  lxxviii.  23,  24.  E.  146. 

41.  Rivers  signify  truths  in  abundance.  R.  409. 
See  Psalm  lxxviii.  15,  16,  20,  35.  E.  411. 

By  the  rock  is  here  understood  the  Lord,  and  by  the 
waters  which  flowed  out  of  it,  the  Divine  truth  from  Him. 
By  the  rivers  are  meant  intelligence  and  wisdom  thence 
derived.  E.  518. 

By  rock  throughout  the  Word  the  Divine  truth  is  under- 
stood. Inv.  35. 
42-45.  And  He  causes  them  to  be  a  church.  P.  P. 
45.  In  this  Psalm  Jah  is  the  Lord  as  to  Divine  truth,  in 
like  manner  Jah  in  Hallelu-Jah.                            A.  8267. 

See  Psalm  civ.  35.  R.  803. 

See  Psalm  civ.  35.  E.  1197. 


PSALM  CVI. 


Praise  ye  Jehovah. 

Oh  give  thanks  unto  Jehovah;  for  he  is  good; 

For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever. 

Who  can  utter  the  mighty  acts  of  Jehovah, 

Or  show  forth  all  his  praise  ? 

Blessed  are  they  that  keep  justice, 

And  he  that  doeth  righteousness  at  all  times. 

Remember  me,  O  Jehovah,  with  the  favor  that  thou 

bearest  unto  thy  people; 
Oh  visit  me  with  thy  salvation, 


394  PSALM   CVI. 

5.  That  I  may  see  the  prosperity  of  thy  chosen, 
That  I  may  rejoice  in  the  gladness  of  thy  nation, 
That  I  may  glory  with  thine  inheritance. 

6.  We  have  sinned  with  our  fathers, 

We  have  committed  iniquity,  we  have  done  wickedly. 

7.  Our  fathers  understood  not  thy  wonders  in  Egypt; 
They  remembered  not  the  multitude  of  thy  loving- 
kindnesses, 

But  were  rebellious  at  the  sea,  even  at  the  Red  Sea. 

8.  Nevertheless  he  saved  them  for  his  name's  sake, 
That  he  might  make  his  might}'  power  to  be  known. 

9.  He  rebuked  the  Red  Sea  also,  and  it  was  dried  up: 

So  he  led  them  through  the  depths,  as  through  a  wil- 
derness. 

10.  And  he  saved  them  from  the  hand  of  him  that  hated 

them, 
And  redeemed  them  from  the  hand  of  the  enemy. 

11.  And  the  waters  covered  their  adversaries; 
There  was  not  one  of  them  left. 

12.  Then  believed  they  his  words; 
They  sang  his  praise. 

13.  They  soon  forgat  his  works; 
They  waited  not  for  his  counsel, 

14.  But  lusted  exceedingly  in  the  wilderness, 
And  tempted  God  in  the  desert. 

15.  And  he  gave  them  their  request, 
But  sent  leanness  into  their  soul. 

16.  They  envied  Moses  also  in  the  camp, 
And  Aaron  the  saint  of  Jehovah. 

17.  The  earth  opened  and  swallowed  up  Dathan, 
And  covered  the  company  of  Abiram. 

18.  And  a  fire  was  kindled  in  their  company; 
The  flame  burned  up  the  wicked. 

19.  They  made  a  calf  in  Horeb, 
And  worshipped  a  molten  image. 

20.  Thus  they  changed  their  glory 

For  the  likeness  of  an  ox  that  eateth  grass. 

21.  They  forgat  God  their  Saviour, 
Who  had  done  great  things  in  Egypt, 


PSALM   CVI. 


395 


22.  Wondrous  works  in  the  land  of  Ham, 
And  terrible  things  by  the  Red  Sea. 

23.  Therefore  he  said  that  he  would  destroy  them, 

Had  not  Moses  his  chosen  stood   before   him  in  the 

breach, 
To  turn  away  his  wrath,  lest  he  should  destroy  them. 

24.  Yea,  they  despised  the  pleasant  land, 
They  believed  not  his  word, 

25.  But  murmured  in  their  tents, 

And  hearkened  not  unto  the  voice  of  Jehovah. 

26.  Therefore  he  sware  unto  them, 

That  he  would  overthrow  them  in  the  wilderness, 

27.  And  that  he  would  overthrow  their  seed  among  the 

nations, 
And  scatter  them  in  the  lands. 

28.  They  joined  themselves  also  unto  Baal-peor, 
And  ate  the  sacrifices  of  the  dead. 

29.  Thus  they  provoked  him  to  anger  with  their  doings; 
And  the  plague  brake  in  upon  them. 

30.  Then  stood  up  Phinehas,  and  executed  judgment; 
And  so  the  plague  was  stayed. 

31.  And  that  was  reckoned  unto  him  for  righteousness, 
Unto  all  generations  for  evermore. 

32.  They  angered  him  also  at  the  waters  of  Meribah, 
So  that  it  went  ill  with  Moses  for  their  sakes; 

33.  Because  they  were  rebellious  against  his  spirit, 
And  he  spake  unadvisedly  with  his  lips. 

34.  They  did  not  destroy  the  peoples, 
As  Jehovah  commanded  them, 

35.  But  mingled  themselves  with  the  nations, 
And  learned  their  works, 

36.  And  served  their  idols, 

Which  became  a  snare  unto  them. 

37.  Yea,  they  sacrificed  their  sons  and  their  daughters  unto 

demons, 

38.  And  shed  innocent  blood, 

Even  the  blood  of  their  sons  and  of  their  daughters, 
Whom  they  sacrificed  unto  the  idols  of  Canaan; 
And  the  land  was  polluted  with  blood. 


396  PSALM  CVI. 

39.  Thus  were  they  denied  with  their  works, 
And  played  the  harlot  in  their  doings. 

40.  Therefore  was  the  wrath  of  Jehovah  kindled  against 

his  people, 
And  he  abhorred  his  inheritance. 

41.  And  he  gave  them  into  the  hand  of  the  nations; 
And  they  that  hated  them  ruled  over  them. 

42.  Their  enemies  also  oppressed  them, 

And  they  were  brought  into  subjection  under  their 
hand. 

43.  Many  times  did  he  deliver  them; 

But  they  were  rebellious  in  their  counsel, 
And  were  brought  low  in  their  iniquity. 

44.  Nevertheless  he  regarded  their  distress, 
When  he  heard  their  cry: 

45.  And  he  remembered  for  them  his  covenant, 

And  repented  according  to  the  multitude  of  his  loving- 
kindnesses. 

46.  He  made  them  also  to  be  pitied 

Of  all  those  that  carried  them  captive. 

47.  Save  us,  O  Jehovah  our  God, 

And  gather  us  from  among  the  nations, 
To  give  thanks  unto  thy  holy  name, 
And  to  triumph  in  thy  praise. 

48.  Blessed  be  Jehovah,  the  God  of  Israel, 
From  everlasting  even  to  everlasting. 
And  let  all  the  people  say,  Amen. 
Praise  ye  Jehovah. 


Psalm  CVI. 

General  Subject.     Of  the  church  instituted  among  the 

Jewish  nation,  it  became  perverted  and  revolted.       P.  P. 

I.  See  Psalm  civ.  35.  R.  803. 

See  Psalm  civ.  35.  E.  1197. 

1-5.     Prayer  of  the  Lord  to  the  Father  to  give  help,  that 

He  might  see  the  church  established.  P.  P. 

1,  48.     See  Psalm  cv.  45.  A.  8267. 


PSALM 

CVI. 

397 

4- 

See  Psalm  viii.  5. 

A.  9849. 

4,5- 

See  Psalm  xviii.  44. 

S.  86. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  44. 

R.  483. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  44. 

T.  251. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  44. 

E.  33*- 

5.     Here  nation  plainly  stands  for  the  Lord's  kingdom. 

A.  1416. 

In  these  places  by  nations  are  understood  all  who  are 

in  love  to  the  Lord  whether  they  be  within  the  church 

where  the  Word  is,  or  out  of  it.  E.  175. 

6-8.     Although  those  who  were  of  the  church  beheld  Divine 

miracles,  they  backslid,  and  yet  they  were  preserved. 

P.  P. 

9-1 1.     The  deep  here  stands  for  the  temptations  in  the 

wilderness.     In  ancient  times  hell  was  meant  by  the  deep, 

and  fantasies  and  persuasions  of  falsity  were  likened  to 

waters  and  rivers  as  also  to  a  smoke  out  of  the  deep. 

A.  756. 

9-34.     as  at  the  sea  Suph  and  afterwards  in  the  desert 

(many  —  instances  here  recounted  — )  nevertheless  they 

rebelled.  P.  P. 

9,  11.  See  Exodus  xv.  4,  5,  8.  By  Pharaoh  and  his  host 
are  signified  those  who  are  in  the  falsities  of  evil,  and  by 
the  Red  Sea  is  signified  the  hell  where  those  falsities  are, 
hence  it  is  evident  that  by  the  depths  which  covered  them, 
the  hells  are  signified.  E.  538. 

10.  Verse  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  87. 
19,  20.     By  making  a  calf  in  Horeb,  and  bowing  themselves 

to  what  was  graven  is  signified  idolatrous  worship,  which 

is  that  of  ceremonies,  of  statutes,  of  judgments,  and  of 

precepts  in  the  external  form  only,  and  not  at  the  same 

time  in  the  internal.  A.  9391. 

See  Psalm  lxviii.  31.  A.  10407. 

22.     See  Psalms  lxxviii.  51  and  cv.  23,  27.  A.  1063. 

Egypt  is  called  the  land  of  Ham.  R.  503. 

Egypt  is  called  a  land  of  bondage  or  servitude  in  Micah 

vi.  4,  likewise  the  land  of  Ham.  E.  654. 


398  PSALM  CVI. 

23.  To  stand  in  the  breach  means  to  be  on  one's  guard  lest 
falsities  break  in.     Moses  is  the  Word.  A.  4926. 

26,  27.  By  making  their  seed  to  fall  among  the  nations, 
and  by  scattering  them  in  the  lands  is  signified  that  Divine 
truth  would  perish  with  them  —  the  Jews  —  by  evils  and 
falses.  E.  768. 

28.     See  Psalm  cii.  21.  R.  525. 

See  Psalm  vi.  6.  E.  186. 

See  Psalm  cii.  21.  I.  10. 

35~39«  They  totally  destroyed  and  profaned  the  truths 
and  goods  of  the  church.  P.  P. 

37.  By  demons  the  lusts  of  evil  arising  from  the  love  of  the 
world  are  signified.  The  reason  is  that  in  hell  they  are 
called  demons  who  are  in  such  lusts,  and  men  also  who  are 
in  the  same  become  demons  after  death.  R.  458. 

This  was  altogether  infernal,  but  in  the  spiritual  sense 
by  sacrificing  their  sons  and  daughters  was  signified  their 
evil  lusts  to  pervert  and  destroy  the  truths  and  goods  of 
the  church,  for  sons  signify  the  truth  of  the  church,  and 
daughters  the  goods  thereof.  E.  586. 

In  hell  those  are  called  demons  who  are  in  the  lust  of 
falsifying  truths,  which  is  chiefly  effected  by  reasonings, 
hence  by  demons  and  demoniacs  in  the  abstract  are  sig- 
nified lusts  and  falses.  .  E.  1001. 

38,  39.  To  shed  the  blood  of  sons  and  daughters  here 
signifies  in  the  internal  sense  that  they  extinguished  all 
truths  of  faith  and  goods  of  charity.  To  sacrifice  sons 
and  daughters  to  the  idols  of  Canaan  signifies  to  profane 
the  things  which  are  of  faith  and  charity  by  external 
worship  separate  from  internal,  which  is  nothing  else  than 
idolatrous.  A.  1167. 

40-43.     Therefore  the  church  with  them  was  forsaken  by 

the  Lord,  and  destroyed.  P.  P. 

44-46.     Then  those  who  were  out  of  the  church  wrere  heard, 

P.  P. 
45.     See  Psalm  viii.  5.  A.  9849. 


PSALM  CVII. 


399 


See  Psalm  I.  5,  16.  E.  701. 

47,  48.     and  a  church  constituted  of  them  will  arise  and 
will  worship  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

48.  See  Psalm  civ.  35.  R.  803. 
Amen  signifies  Divine  confirmation.  E.  228. 
See  Psalm  civ.  35.                                             E.  1197. 


PSALM  CVII. 


1.  Oh  give  thanks  unto  Jehovah;  for  he  is  good; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever. 

2.  Let  the  redeemed  of  Jehovah  say  so, 

Whom  he  hath  redeemed  from  the  hand  of  the  ad- 
versary, 

3.  And  gathered  out  of  the  lands, 
From  the  east  and  from  the  west, 
From  the  north  and  from  the  south. 

4.  They  wandered  in  the  wilderness  in  a  desert  way; 
They  found  no  city  of  habitation. 

5.  Hungry  and  thirsty, 
Their  soul  fainted  in  them. 

6.  Then  they  cried  unto  Jehovah  in  their  trouble, 
And  he  delivered  them  out  of  their  distresses, 

7.  He  led  them  also  by  a  straight  way, 
That  they  might  go  to  a  city  of  habitation. 

8.  Oh  that  men  would  praise  Jehovah  for  his  loving- 

kindness, 
And  for  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men ! 

9.  For  he  satisfieth  the  longing  soul, 

And  the  hungry  soul  he  filleth  with  good. 

10.  Such  as  sat  in  darkness  and  in  the  shadow  of  death, 
Being  bound  in  affliction  and  iron, 

11.  Because  they  rebelled  against  the  words  of  God, 
And  contemned  the  counsel  of  the  Most  High: 

12.  Therefore  he  brought  down  their  heart  with  labor; 
They  fell  down,  and  there  was  none  to  help. 


400  PSALM  CVII. 

13.  Then  they  cried  unto  Jehovah  in  their  trouble, 
And  he  saved  them  out  of  their  distresses. 

14.  He  brought  them  out  of  darkness  and  the  shadow  of 

death, 
And  brake  their  bonds  in  sunder. 

15.  Oh  that  men  would  praise  Jehovah  for  his  loving- 

kindness, 
And  for  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men! 

16.  For  he  hath  broken  the  gates  of  brass, 
And  cut  the  bars  of  iron  in  sunder. 

17.  Fools  because  of  their  transgression, 

And  because  of  their  iniquities,  are  afflicted. 

18.  Their  soul  abhorreth  all  manner  of  food; 
And  they  draw  near  unto  the  gates  of  death. 

19.  Then  they  cry  unto  Jehovah  in  their  trouble, 
And  he  saveth  them  out  of  their  distresses. 

20.  He  sendeth  his  word,  and  healethrthem, 
And  delivereth  them  from  their  destructions. 

21.  Oh  that  men  would  praise   Jehovah  for  his  loving- 

kindness, 
And  for  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men! 

22.  And  let  them  offer  the  sacrifices  of  thanksgiving, 
And  declare  his  works  with  singing. 

23.  They  that  go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships, 
That  do  business  in  great  waters; 

24.  These  see  the  works  of  Jehovah, 
And  his  wonders  in  the  deep. 

25.  For  he  commandeth,  and  raiseth  the  stormy  wind, 
Which  lifteth  up  the  waves  thereof. 

26.  They  mount  up  to  the  heavens,  they  go  down  again  to 

the  depths: 
Their  soul  melteth  away  because  of  trouble. 

27.  They  reel  to  and  fro,  and  stagger  like  a  drunken  man, 
And  are  at  their  wits'  end. 

28.  Then  they  cry  unto  Jehovah  in  their  trouble, 
And  he  bringeth  them  out  of  their  distresses. 

29.  He  maketh  the  storm  a  calm, 

So  that  the  waves  thereof  are  still. 

30.  Then  are  they  glad  because  they  are  quiet; 
So  he  bringeth  them  unto  their  desired  haven. 


PSALM  CVII.  401 

31.  Oh  that  men  would  praise  Jehovah  for  his  lovingkind- 

ness. 
And  for  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men ! 

32.  Let  them  exalt  him  also  in  the  assembly  of  the  people, 
And  praise  him  in  the  seat  of  the  elders. 

33.  He  turneth  rivers  into  a  wilderness, 
And  watersprings  into  a  thirsty  ground; 

34.  A  fruitful  land  into  a  salt  desert, 

For  the  wickedness  of  them  that  dwell  therein. 

35.  He  turneth  a  wilderness  into  a  pool  of  water, 
And  a  dry  land  into  watersprings. 

36.  And  there  he  maketh  the  hungry  to  dwell, 
That  they  may  prepare  a  city  of  habitation, 

37.  And  sow  fields,  and  plant  vineyards, 
And  get  them  fruits  of  increase. 

38.  He  blesseth  them  also,  so  that  they  are  multiplied 

greatly; 
And  he  sufTereth  not  their  cattle  to  decrease. 

39.  Again,  they  are  diminished  and  bowed  down 
Through  oppression,  trouble,  and  sorrow. 

40.  He  poureth  contempt  upon  princes, 

And  causeth  them  to  wander  in  the  waste,  where  there 
is  no  way. 

41.  Yet  setteth  he  the  needy  on  high  from  affliction, 
And  maketh  him  families  like  a  flock. 

42.  The  upright  shall  see  it,  and  be  glad; 
And  all  iniquity  shall  stop  her  mouth. 

43.  Whoso  is  wise  will  give  heed  to  these  things; 

And  they  will  consider  the  lovingkindnesses  of  Jehovah. 

Psalm   CVII. 

1-3.     A  new  church  which  the  Lord  has  redeemed.    P.  P. 
2.     See  Psalm  xix.  15.  R.  281. 

See  Psalm  xix.  15.  R.  613. 

See  Psalm  xliv.  27.  E.  328. 

The  redeemed  of  Jehovah  here  signify  those  who  are  de- 
fended from  evils,  from  the  hand  of  the  enemy  those 
whom  He  has  liberated  from  falsities.  E.  328. 


402  PSALM   CVII. 

The  redeemed  of  Jehovah  whom  He  redeemed  from 
the   hand  of  the  enemy.  D.  P.,  Page  87. 

2-4.  Said  of  those  who  are  in  ignorance  of  good  and  truth. 
From  the  east  and  from  the  west  stands  for  those  in  ignor- 
ance of  good,  from  the  north  and  from  the  south  for  those 
in  ignorance  of  truth.  Of  those  in  ignorance  of  good  it 
is  said  that  they  wandered  in  the  wilderness,  and  of  those 
in  ignorance  of  truth,  that  they  wandered  in  a  desert 
way.  Concerning  the  ignorance  of  both — they  found  no 
city  of  habitation.     City  signifies  a  doctrinal  of  truth. 

A.  3708. 

2>  4>  5>  7«  By  cities  in  the  spiritual  sense  are  meant  doc- 
trines. R.  194. 
Verse  4  signifies  that  they  were  in  want  of  the  knowl- 
edges of  truth  and  good,  and  that  there  was  no  doctrine 
of  truth  according  to  which  they  might  live.  By  the 
hungry  and  thirsty  are  meant  they  who  were  in  the  desire 
of  knowing  good  and  truth.  Verse  7  means  to  lead  them 
into  genuine  truth  and  into  the  doctrine  of  life.       E.  223. 

3.  See  Psalm  1.  1.  E.  422. 

4.  Those  who  have  been  in  desolation  of  truth  and  are 
being  reformed  are  treated  of.  A.  2708. 

4-7.  By  a  wilderness  a  state  of  temptation  is  signified,  in 
which  a  man  is  as  if  it  were  without  truths,  because  he 
is  surrounded  by  evil  spirits  who  bring  temptation,  and 
then  as  if  it  were  take  away  truths  from  him.  R.  546. 
These  words  are  spoken  in  general  concerning  those 
who  are  redeemed,  specifically  concerning  the  sons  of 
Israel  in  the  wilderness.  The  temptations  of  such  as 
are  regenerating  by  the  Lord  are  thereby  described.  By 
the  city  in  verse  4  is  signified  the  doctrine  of  life  which 
constitutes  the  church  in  man,  and  since  the  church  is 
formed  in  man  by  a  life  according  to  doctrine  through 
the  means  of  temptations,  it  is  said  that  Jehovah  led  them 
in  the  way  of  right,  that  they  might  go  to  a  city  of  habita- 
tion.    The  defect  or  want  of  truth  even  to  despair,  and 


PSALM  CVII.  403 

yet  a  desire  for  it,  is  signified  by  their  being  hungry  and 

thirsty,  and  their  soul  fainting  in  the  way.  E.  730. 

4-8.     They  are  in  falsities  of  ignorance,  but  in  a  desire  for 

truth  and  good.  P.  P. 

8,  9.     Here  the  longing  soul  signifies  those  who  desire  truths, 

and  the  hungry  soul  those  who  desire  goods.  E.  386. 

8,  9,  35-37.     See  Psalm  xxxiii.  18,  19.  R.  323. 

9.  Meaning  those  who  desire  knowledge.  A.  1460. 
9-15.  They  are  in  ignorance  and  in  lack  of  truth.  P.  P. 
16.     Gates  signify  firmness  and  protection,  and  staves  or 

bars  the  power  which  is  of  truth  derived  from  good. 

A.  9496. 

16-21.     They  have  no  spiritual  nourishment,  although  they 
will  have  it  through  the  Word.  P.  P. 

20.     From    their   pits    meaning    from    falsities.     See  also 

Psalm  xl.  2.  A.  4728. 

"He  sent  His  word."     The  Word  in  the  supreme  sense 

is  the  Lord  as  to  Divine  truth,  or  what  is  the  same,  the 

Word  is  the  Divine  truth  proceeding  from  the  Lord. 

A.  9987. 

21,22.     See  Psalm  xl.  7,  8.  A.  2180. 

See  Psalm  lxix.  31.  A.  3880. 

22-24.     See  Psalm  civ.  24-26.  A.  6385. 

22-31.     When  they  were  in  knowledges  they  were  admitted 
into  temptations,  and  preserved.  P.  P. 

23,  24.     See  Psalm  xlviii.  5,  7,  8.  R.  406. 

In  verse  23  those  are  signified  who  intensely  study  the 
doctrine  of  truth  from  the  Word.  Verse  24  signifies  that 
they  understand  the  truths  and  goods  of  heaven  and  the 
church,  and  the  hidden  things  thereof.  The  works  of 
Jehovah  stand  for  all  things  of  the  Word  which  perfect 
man,  and  all  of  which  have  reference  to  good  and  truth. 
The  wonders  in  the  deep  meaning  the  hidden  things  of 
intelligence  and  wisdom.  E.  514. 

23,  25,  29.     These  things  are  said  concerning  temptations 
and  liberations  from  them.     By  verse  25  are  signified 


404  PSALM  CVII. 

temptations,  since  spiritual  temptations  are  caused  by 
the  irruption  of  falsities  into  the  thoughts,  whence  arise 
remorse  of  conscience  and  grief  of  mind.  Liberation 
from  them  is  signified  by  verse  29.  E.  419. 

25,  29.     See  Psalm  xi.  6.  R.  343. 

27.  Those  who  are  not  in  the  faith  of  charity  wish  only 
to  reason  whether  a  thing  be  so,  and  to  know  how  it  is, 
saying  that  unless  they  can  know  how  it  is,  they  cannot 
believe  it  to  be  so.  They  not  only  doubt  about  all  things, 
but  also  deny  in  their  hearts.  When  they  are  instructed 
how  it  is  they  still  cling  to  their  disbelief,  and  arouse  all 
their  objections  and  never  acquiesce,  were  it  to  eternity. 
They  are  such  as  are  called  in  the  Word  drunken  with 
wine  or  strong  drink.  A.  1072. 

See  Psalm  lxxv.  9.  R.  721. 

32.  The  congregation  of  the  elders  stands  for  those  who 
are  in  intelligence  which  is  of  wisdom,  for  wisdom  is  of 
life,  thus  of  good,  but  intelligence  is  of  knowledges,  thus 
of  truth.  A.  6524. 

33.  Rivers  signify  truths  in  abundance.  R.  409. 
Intelligence  and  the  knowledge  of  truth  shall  perish. 

E.  518. 

33,  34.     Because  lusts  and  falsities  are  what  lay  a  man 

waste,  that  is  deprive  him  of  all  the  life  of  the  love  of  good 

and  of  affection  for  truth,  vastation  is  described  in  many 

passages  by  saltness.  A.  1666. 

The  fruitful  land  turned  into  a  salt  desert  stands  for 
the  vastation  of  good  in  truth.  A.  2455. 

Salt  in  the  opposite  sense  signifies  the  destruction  and 
vastation  of  truth.  A.  9207. 

See  Psalm  lxv.  13,  14.  R.  546. 

35,  36.  The  illustration  of  the  gentiles  is  treated  of.  Lake 
of  waters  signifies  truths  in  abundance  appertaining  to 
the  natural  man,  by  the  hungry  in  the  -Word  are  under- 
stood those  who  desire  truths.  A  city  of  habitation  sig- 
nifies that  from  those  truths  they  may  make  for  themselves 
doctrine  of  life.  E.  730. 


PSALM  CVII.  405 

33>  34>  39>  40*  Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord,  that  those  who 
were  of  the  devastated  church  have  been  rejected. 

P.  P. 

33>  35«  Waters,  rivers  and  depths  from  the  rock  —  the 
Lord,  see  Psalm  lxxviii.  15,  16  —  stand  for  truths  from 
Him.  A.  2702. 

The  regeneration  of  those  who  are  in  ignorance  of  truth, 
or  the  gentiles,  and  the  enlightenment  and  instruction  of 
those  who  are  in  desolation  is  treated  of.  The  wilder- 
ness is  predicated  of  these.  A.  2708. 
Pools  signify  knowledges  serving  truths  which  are  of 
doctrine,  and  in  the  opposite  sense  serving  falsities  of  doc- 
trine. Pools,  where  they  are  named  in  the  Word,  in  the 
spiritual  sense  signify  intelligence  from  knowledges  of 
good  and  truth,  for  pools  there  stand  for  waters  gathered 
together,  and  lakes  are  in  the  complex  knowledges  by 
which  comes  intelligence.                                          A.  7324. 

35,  36.     By  a  lake  is  signified  where  there  is  truth  in  abun- 
dance. R.  835. 
By  a  wilderness  is  signified  a  vastated  church,  or  one 
in  which  all  the  truths  of  the  Word  are  falsified.  R.  546. 

33,  34.  By  the  rivers  laid  into  a  wilderness  is  signified  in- 
telligence from  the  understanding  of  truth,  and  also  of 
the  Word  as  to  its  interior  sense  devastated  by  falses  from 
evil.  Rivers  such  things  as  are  from  intelligence,  a  wil- 
derness where  such  things  are  not.  The  going  forth  of 
waters  into  drought  means  that  the  ultimates  of  under- 
standing, called  the  knowledges  of  truth  and  good,  are 
without  all  light  and  spiritual  affection  for  truth.  Waters 
stand  for  truths,  drought  the  deprivation  thereof  by 
reason  of  there  being  no  light  and  affection,  the  going 
forth  —  the  ultimates  thereof,  such  as  are  the  truths  of 
the  literal  sense  of  the  Word.  Saltness  stands  for  the 
devastation  of  truth  by  falses,  and  as  all  devastation  is 
by  falses  from  the  evil  of  the  life,  it  is  added,  for  the  wick- 
edness of  them  that  dwell  therein.  E.  730. 

35-37'     See  Psalm  lxvii.  6-8.  A.  9272. 


406  PSALM  CVTI. 

35  They  who  are  in  ignorance  of  the  knowledges  of  truth, 
and  yet  desire  to  know  them,  shall  be  greatly  enriched 
therewith.  By  Jehovah  turning  the  wilderness  into  a 
standing  water  is  signified  that  where  ignorance  of  truth 
existed,  there  shall  be  abundance  of  it.  By  dry  ground 
into  water  springs  is  signified  the  same  effect  produced 
in  the  natural  man.  By  making  the  hungry  to  dwell 
there  is  signified  that  they  who  desire  truth  shall  live 
thereby.  To  prepare  a  city  of  habitation  signifies  to 
form  for  themselves  a  doctrine  of  life.  Verse  37  means 
to  receive  truths,  to  understand  them,  and  to  do  them. 
(This  paragraph  is  given  in  extract  only.)  E.  386. 

35-38,  41-43.  And  that  those  who  are  of  the  new  church 
have  been  accepted,  with  whom  truths  and  goods  will  be 
multiplied.  P.  P. 

37.     Vineyard  signifies  the  spiritual  church.  E.  919. 

37-39.  The  whole  of  this  Psalm  treats  about  the  advent 
of  the  Lord  and  redemption  from  Him.  That  they  shall 
then  possess  truths  whereby  the  church  shall  be  implanted 
with  them,  and  that  thence  they  shall  possess  the  goods  of 
the  church  whence  truths  shall  grow  and  increase  is  sig- 
nified by  verse  37,  and  by  the  first  clause  of  verse  38.  The 
remainder  of  verse  38  signifies  that  in  this  case  every  good 
affection  of  the  natural  man  shall  remain  with  them. 
That  otherwise  those  affections  would  have  perished  by 
evils  is  signified  by  verse  39.  E.  650. 


PSALM  CVIII. 

A  Song,  a  Psalm  of  David. 

i.     My  heart  is  fixed,  O  Gcd; 

I  will  sing,  yea,  I  will  sing  praises,  even  with  my  glory. 

2.  Awake,  psaltery  and  harp: 

I  myself  will  awake  right  earl}-. 

3.  I  will  give  thanks  unto  thee,  O  Jehovah,  among  the 

peoples; 
And  I  will  sing  praises  unto  thee  among  the  nations. 


psalm  cvnr.  407 

4.  For  thy  lovingkindness  is  great  above  the  heavens; 
And  thy  truth  reacheth  unto  the  skies. 

5.  Be  thou  exalted,  O  God,  above  the  heavens, 
And  thy  glory  above  all  the  earth. 

6.  That  thy  beloved  may  be  delivered, 
Save  with  thy  right  hand,  and  answer  us. 

7.  God  hath  spoken  in  his  holiness:  I  will  exult; 

I  will  divide  Shechem,  and  mete  out  the  valley  of 
Succoth. 

8.  Gilead  is  mine;  Manasseh  is  mine; 
Ephraim  also  is  the  defence  of  my  head; 
Judah  is  my  sceptre. 

9.  Moab  is  my  washpot; 

Upon  Edom  will  I  cast  my  shoe; 
Over  Philistia  will  I  shout. 

10.  Who  will  bring  me  into  the  fortified  city? 
Who  hath  led  me  unto  Edom  ? 

11.  Hast  not  thou  cast  us  off,  O  God? 

And  thou  goest  not  forth,  O  God,  with  our  hosts. 

12.  Give  us  help  against  the  adversary; 
For  vain  is  the  help  of  man. 

13.  Through  God  we  shall  do  valiantly: 

For  he  it  is  that  will  tread  down  our  adversaries. 

Psalm  CVIIL 

1.         See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1-6.     Prayer  of  the  Lord  to  the  Father  to  give  help,  and 

show  His  power.  P.  P. 

2-4.     See  Psalm  xxxiii.  2,  3.  R.  276. 

See  Psalm  lvii.  8-10.  E.  ^2^. 

See  Psalm  lvii.  8-10.  E.  331. 

5.         See  Psalm  xxxvi.  6.  E.  541. 

7.  That  those  who  are  to  be  of  the  church  may  be  delivered. 

P.  P. 

8.  A  tent  signifies  the  holy  of  truth,  and  dwelling  in  tents 
worship  therefrom,  therefore  the  feast  of  tents  was  in- 


408  PSALM   CVIII. 

8  stituted  in  the  Jewish  and  Israelitic  church  where  that 
feast  is  also  called  Succoth.  Succoth  inyolves  the  quality 
of  the  state  of  the  holy  in  truth  from  good  at  that  time. 

A.  4391-92. 
Answer,  that  the  former  church  will  be  destroyed. 

P.  P. 

8-10.     Shechem  signifies  the  first  state  of  light.      A.  1441. 

What  those   who   are  called  Moab  and  the  sons  of 

Ammon  become  when  their  good  has  been  altogether 

defiled  by  falsities  is  described  in  David.     The  washpot 

stands  for  good  defiled  by  falsities.  A.  2468. 

9.     Judah  a  lawgiver  is  celestial  good  and  its  truth.    A.  6372. 

See  Psalm  lx.  9.  S.  79. 

See  Psalm  lx.  9.  R.  355. 

See  Psalm  lx.  9.  T.  247. 

See  Psalm  lx.  9.  E.  440. 

9,  10.  And  an  internal  and  an  external  church  will  be 
instituted.  P.  P. 

10.  See  Psalm  lvi.  1.  A.  9340. 
11-14.     The  Human  will  become  Divine  when  the  hells 

have  been  subjugated.  P.  P. 

14.     See  Psalms  xliv.  6  and  lx.  14.  E.  632. 


PSALM  CIX. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

1.  Hold  not  thy  peace,  O  God  of  my  praise; 

2.  For  the  mouth  of  the  wicked  and  the  mouth  of  deceit 

have  they  opened  against  me: 
They  have  spoken  unto  me  with  a  lying  tongue. 

3.  They  have  compassed  me  about  also  with  words  of 

hatred, 
And  fought  against  me  without  a  cause. 

4.  For  my  love  they  are  my  adversaries: 
But  I  give  myself  unto  prayer. 


PSALM   CIX.  409 

5.  And  they  have  rewarded  me  evil  for  good, 
And  hatred  for  my  love. 

6.  Set  thou  a  wicked  man  over  him; 

And  let  an  adversary  stand  at  his  right  hand. 

7.  When  he  is  judged,  let  him  come  forth  guilty; 
And  let  his  prayer  be  turned  into  sin. 

8.  Let  his  days  be  few; 

And  let  another  take  his  office. 

9.  Let  his  children  be  fatherless, 
And  his  wife  a  widow. 

10.  Let  his  children  be  vagabonds,  and  beg; 

And  let  them  seek  their  bread  out  of  their  desolate 
places. 

11.  Let  the  extortioner  catch  all  that  he  hath; 
And  let  strangers  make  spoil  of  his  labor. 

12.  Let  there  be  none  to  extend  kindness  unto  him; 
Neither  let  there  be  any  to  have  pity  on  his  fatherless 

children. 

13.  Let  his  posterity  be  cut  off; 

In  the  generation  following  let  their  name  be  blotted 
out. 

14.  Let  the  iniquity  of  his  fathers  be  remembered  with 

Jehovah; 
And  let  not  the  sin  of  his  mother  be  blotted  out. 

15.  Let  them  be  before  Jehovah  continually, 

That  he  may  cut  off  the  memory  of  them  from  the 
earth; 

16.  Because  he  remembered  not  to  show  kindness, 
But  persecuted  the  poor  and  needy  man, 
And  the  broken  in  heart,  to  slay  them. 

17.  Yea,  he  loved  cursing,  and  it  came  unto  him; 

And  he  delighted  not  in  blessing,  and  it  was  far  from 
him. 

18.  He  clothed  himself  also  with  cursing  as  with  his  gar- 

ment, 
And  it  came  into  his  inward  parts  like  water, 
And  like  oil  into  his  bones. 

19.  Let  it  be  unto  him  as  the  raiment  wTherewith  he  cov- 

ereth  himself, 
And  for  the  girdle  wherewith  he  is  girded  continually. 


410  PSALM   CIX. 

20.  This  is  the  reward  of  mine  adversaries  from  Jehovah, 
And  of  them  that  speak  evil  against  my  soul. 

21.  But  deal  thou  with  me,  O  Jehovah  the  Lord,  for  thy 

name's  sake: 
Because  thy  lovingkindness  is  good,  deliver  thou  me; 

22.  For  I  am  poor  and  needy, 

And  my  heart  is  wounded  within  me. 

23.  I  am  gone  like  the  shadow  when  it  declineth: 
I  am  tossed  up  and  down  as  the  locust. 

24.  My  knees  are  wTeak  through  fasting; 
And  my  flesh  faileth  of  fatness. 

25.  I  am  become  also  a  reproach  unto  them: 
When  they  see  me,  they  shake  their  head. 

26.  Help  me,  O  Jehovah  my  God; 

Oh  save  me  according  to  thy  lovingkindness: 

27.  That  they  may  know  that  this  is  thy  hand; 
That  thou,  Jehovah,  hast  done  it. 

28.  Let  them  curse,  but  bless  thou: 

When  they  arise,  they  shall  be  put  to  shame, 
But  thy  servant  shall  rejoice. 

29.  Let  mine  adversaries  be  clothed  with  dishonor, 

And  let  them  cover  themselves  wTith  their  own  shame 
as  with  a  robe. 

30.  I  will  give  great  thanks  unto  Jehovah  with  my  mouth; 
Yea,  I  will  praise  him  among  the  multitude. 

31.  For  he  will  stand  at  the  right  hand  of  the  needy, 
To  save  him  from  them  that  judge  his  soul. 

Psalm  CIX. 

General  Subject.     Of  the  perverted  Jewish  church. 

P.  P. 

1-6.     It  repudiated  the  Lord,  and  considered  Him  vile, 

and  hated  Him.  P.  P. 

2.     See  Psalm  v.  7.  A.  9013. 

See  Psalm  v.  7.  R.  624. 

See  Psalm  v.  7.  E.  866. 

5,  6.     This,  like  most  other  things  in  the  Psalms,  is  a  proph- 


PSALM   CIX.  411 

ecy  concerning  the  Lord  and  His  temptations,  and  con- 
cerning the  most  cruel  of  all  which  He  sustained.  Since 
the  Lord  in  His  temptations  fought  from  Divine  love 
against  the  hells,  which  were  most  hostile  to  Him,  it  is 
said  —  see  verse  5.  —  Since  the  most  infernal  evil  and 
false  prevail  in  those  hells,  it  is  said  —  see  verse  6. —  To 
stand  at  the  right  side  signifies  to  be  altogether  possessed, 
and  Satan  —  the  infernal  false  with  which  he  was  to  be 
possessed.  E.  740. 

7-12.  They  will  perish  in  the  judgment,  and  there  will  be 
others  in  their  place,  who  will  be  received,  and  a  church 
established  with  them.  P.  p. 

13-20.  Their  posterity  will  likewise  perish  because  they 
are  in  falsities  of  evil,  and  because  they  reject  the  Lord. 

P.  P. 

14.     See  Psalm  lxxviii.  57.  A.  3703. 

16.     See  Psalm  ix.  19.  R.  209. 

See  Psalm  xxxvii.  14.  E.  238. 

18,  20.  In  the  spiritual  sense  concerning  the  Lord,  for 
David  as  a  king  represented  the  Lord,  and  thence  signi- 
fied Him  as  to  the  Divine  spiritual,  which  is  the  royalty 
of  the  Lord.  The  reward  of  them  who  are  hostile  to  the 
Lord,  and  who  speak  evil  against  His  soul,  is  described 
as  hell  originating  in  the  love  of  the  false  and  evil  by  verse 
18.  It  is  said  as  waters  and  oil  because  waters  signify  the 
falses  of  faith,  and  oil  evils  of  love,  whence  by  both  is 
understood  the  love  or  affection  for  the  false  and  evil, 
which  is  hell.  This  may  appear  also  from  this  considera- 
tion, that  love  imbibes  all  things  that  agree  with  it,  like  a 
sponge  does  water  and  oil,  for  the  love  of  evil  nourishes 
itself  from  falses,  and  the  love  of  the  false  from  evils.  As 
love  is  of  such  a  nature  it  is  therefore  said,  that  cursing 
entered  into  the  midst  of  him  as  waters,  and  as  oil  between 
the  bones.  .  E.  695. 

21-25.  To  the  Father  for  help,  because  He  is  considered 
vile,  and  as  nothing.  P.  P. 


412  PSALM   CIX. 

22.     See  Psalm  ix.  19.  R.  209. 

See  Psalm  ix.  19.  E.  238. 

22,  23.  See  Deuteronomy  xxviii.  38.  This  was  one  of 
the  curses  with  which  the  Israelites  were  threatened  if 
they  did  not  observe  and  do  the  commandments  of  Je- 
hovah. By  the  seed  of  the  field  is  understood  the  Word, 
and  by  the  locust  the  dense  falsity  from  the  sensual  man 
consuming  and  destroying  it.  The  same  is  signified  by 
locust  in  David.  E.  543. 

26-29.     Let  them  be  put  to  shame.  P.  P. 

30.     See  Psalm  xxxv.  17,  18.  A.  3880. 

30,  31.  Song  in  praise  of  the  Father,  because  He  gives 
help.  P.  P. 


PSALM  CX. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 


i.     Jehovah  saith  unto  my  lord, 
Sit  thou  at  my  right  hand, 
Until  I  make  thine  enemies  thy  footstool. 

2.  Jehovah  will  send  forth  the  rod  of  thy  strength  out  of 

Zion: 
Rule  thou  in  the  midst  of  thine  enemies. 

3.  Thy  people  offer  themselves  willingly 
In  the  day  of  thy  power,  in  holy  array: 
Out  of  the  womb  of  the  morning 
Thou  hast  the  deiv  of  thy  youth. 

4.  Jehovah  hath  swjrn,  and  will  not  repent: 
Thou  art  a  priest  for  ever 

After  the  order  of  Melchizedek. 

5.  The  Lord  at  thy  right  hand 

Will  strike  through  kings  in  the  day  of  his  wrath. 

6.  He  will  judge  among  the  nations, 

He  will  fill  the  places  with  dead  bodies; 

He  will  strike  through  the  head  in  many  countries. 

7.  He  will  drink  of  the  brook  in  the  way: 
Therefore  will  he  lift  up  the  head. 


PSALM   CX.  413 


Psalm  CX. 


1.  That  this  treats  of  the  Lord  cannot  be  apparent  in  the 
literal  sense  of  the  passage  cited  in  Matthew  xxii.  44,  but 
still  that  no  other  than  the  Lord  is  meant  He  here  teaches 
in  Matthew.  A.  2135. 

By  a  footstool  natural  things  are  signified,  as  well 
sensual  as  scientific,  and  man's  rational  therefrom.  They 
are  called  enemies  when  they  pervert  worship,  and  this 
from  the  literal  sense  of  the  W ord,  so  that  there  is  worship 
only  in  externals,  and  either  no  internal  worship,  or  what 
is  defiled.  A.  2162. 

By  sitting  at  the  right  hand  of  God  is  signified  a  state 
of  power  from  truth  which  is  from  good,  which  when 
predicated  of  the  Lord  is  omnipotence,  also  the  Divine 
truth  which  proceeds  from  the  Lord's  Divine  good. 

A.  4592. 

It  is  plain  that  Jehovah  in  David  is  called  Lord  in 
Matthew.  Lord  stands  here  for  the  Divine  good  of  the 
Divine  Human,  omnipotence  is  signified  by  sitting  at  the 
right  hand.  A.  4973. 

See  also  Matthew  xxii.  41-46.  From  these  passages 
it  is  evident  that  the  Lord  as  to  the  glorified  Human,  was 
not  the  son  of  Mary,  nor  of  David.  L.  35. 

Jehovah  God  calls  both  himself  and  the  Son  of  God 
Lord.     By  the  Son  is  also  meant  the  Humanity  of  theLord. 

T.  101. 

The  Lord  did  not  acknowledge  himself  to  be  the  son 
of  David  for  it  is  read  in  the  Evangelists  —  see  Matthew 
xxii.  42-45:  Mark  xii.  35-37:  Luke  xx.  41-44.       T.  102. 

"The  Lord  said  to  my  Lord"  signifies  the  Essential 
Divine,  which  is  called  the  Father,  to  the  Divine  Human, 
which  is  the  Son.  Sit  thou  at  my  right  hand  signifies 
power  or  omnipotence  by  Divine  truth,  until  I  make 
thine  enemies  thy  footstool  signifies  until  the  hells  are 


414  PSALM   CX. 

1  conquered  and  subjugated,  and  the  evil  cast  thither. 
Enemies  stand  for  the  hells,  and  footstool  for  the  lowest 
region  under  the  heavens,  under  which  are  the  hells. 

E.  687. 
Verse  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  8. 

Verse  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  38. 

1,  2.  This  whole  Psalm  treats  concerning  the  battle  of 
the  Lord  with  the  hells  and  their  subjugation.  The  right 
hand  of  God  signifies  omnipotence.  T.  136. 

By  sitting  at  the  right  hand  is  signified  the  Lord's  Di- 
vine omnipotence,  by  making  His  enemies  His  footstool 
the  entire  subjugation  and  prostration  of  the  hells,  by  the 
sceptre  of  strength  out  of  Zion  Divine  truth  to  which 
belongs  omnipotence,  Zion  denoting  heaven,  where  the 
Lord  by  His  Divine  truth  reigns.  E.  850. 

1-3.  Victory  of  the  Lord  over  the  hells,  owing  to  which 
He  has  dominion  over  heaven  and  earth.  P.  P. 

1-5.  The  Lord's  combats  of  temptations  with  the  hells. 
His  interior  man  as  to  the  celestial  is  called  Melchizedek. 

A.  1725. 

1-7.  It  is  evident  what  the  Lord  is  as  a  priest,  consequently 
what  the  priesthood  of  the  Lord  represented,  namely, 
all  the  work  of  the  salvation  of  the  human  race,  for  the 
subject  here  treated  of  is  concerning  His  combats  with 
the  hells  when  He  was  in  the  world,  by  which  He  ac- 
quired to  himself  Divine  omnipotence  over  the  hells,  by 
which  He  saved  the  human  race,  and  also  at  this  day 
saves  all  who  receive  Him.  This  salvation  itself  since 
it  is  from  the  Divine  good  of  the  Divine  love  is  that  of 
which  it  is  said  of  the  Lord  —  see  verse  4.  Melchizedek 
is  the  king  of  justice,  thus  the  Lord  was  called  from  His 
being  made  justice,  and  thereby  salvation.  A.  9809. 

That  these  things  were  said  concerning  the  Lord  is  evi- 
dent from  His  own  words  in  Matthew  xxii.  44,  etc.  By 
right  hand  is  signified  omnipotence,  by  enemies  the  hells, 
by  kings  those  there  who  are  in  falsities  of  evil.     By  ma- 


PSALM   CX0 


415 


king  them  a  footstool,  and  by  verses  5  and  6  is  signified  to 
destroy  their  power,  by  smiting  through  the  head  over 
many  countries  to  destroy  all.  L.  14. 

Verses  1,  2,  part  of  3,  5  and  6  quoted. 

D.  P.,  Page  72. 

1  et  seq.  These  things  were  said  of  the  Lord  as  He  teaches 
in  Matthew  xxii.  42.  His  dominion  over  the  hells  is 
described.  By  the  right  hand  is  signified  the  power 
which  Divine  truth  has  from  Divine  good.  The  hells  and 
the  evils  and  falses  thence  derived  are  the  foes  to  be  placed 
for  His  footstool,  and  in  the  midst  of  whom  He  was  to 
have  dominion.  A.  10019. 

1,  2,  4.     See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  L.  6. 

Verses  quoted.  D.  P..  Page  60. 

I,  2,  6,  7.  The  head  of  the  serpent  means  in  general  the 
dominion  of  evil,  and  in  particular  that  of  the  love  of  self. 
This  is  the  head  which  the  Lord  treads  down.        A.  257. 

1,  4,  5.  The  right  hand  when  said  of  Jehovah  means  Di- 
vine omnipotence.  A.  8281. 

1.  5,     See  Psalm  lxxxix.  12,  13.  A.  10061. 

Here  is  described  the  combat  of  the  Lord  in  the  world 
against  the  hells,  and  the  subjugation  of  them,  which  was 
effected  from  Divine  good  by  Divine  truth.  The  right 
hand  signifies  Divine  truth.  E.  298. 

2.  See  Psalm  xxiii.  4,  5.  R.  485. 
See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  R.  612. 
By  the  staff  of  strength  is  here  signified  Divine  truth 

in  its  power,  and  by  Zion  the  church  which  is  in  love  to 
the  Lord  and  is  thence  called  the  celestial  church.  E.  727. 

3.  The  Lord  is  treated  of  in  this  whole  Psalm,  and  His 
victories  in  temptations,  which  are  the  day  of  His  power 
and  the  ornaments  of  His  holiness.  From  the  womb  of 
the  dawn  —  morning  —  means  the  Lord  himself,  thus 
the  Divine  love  from  which  He  fought.  A.  2405. 

This  is  said  of  the  Lord,  the  dew  of  birth  standing  for 
the  celestial  of  love.  .  A.  3579. 


41 6  PSALM   CX. 

3  Concerning  the  Lord.  Because  He  is  the  morning 
He  arose  from  the  sepulchre  early  in  the  morning,  for 
He  was  about  to  begin  a  new  church.  T.  764. 

This  is  spoken  of  the  Lord  as  about  to  come  into  the 
world.  "  From  the  womb  of  the  morning  thou  hast  the 
dew  of  thy  youth,"  means  that  Divine  good  and  Divine 
truth  proceed  from  Him,  for  the  Lord  as  a  priest  is  Divine 
good,  and  as  a  king  of  holiness,  which  is  Melchizedek,  is 
Divine  truth.  E.  179. 

4.  Said  concerning  the  Lord.  Jehovah  has  sworn  stands 
for  irrevocable  confirmation  from  the  Divine,  that  is,  that 
it  is  eterna   truth.  A.  2842. 

Said  of  the  Lord.     "After  the  order  of  Melchizedek" 

means  that  He  was  both  king  and  priest,  that  is  in  the 

supreme  sense,  that  from  Him  proceed  the  Divine  good 

and  the  Divine  truth  together.  A.  6148. 

.  By  the  law  here  is  meant  the  prophetic  Word.    A.  6752. 

See  Psalm  lxxxix.  30.  L.  10. 

Hence  it  is  that  Melchizedek  brought  out  bread  and 
wine  as  holy  things  of  the  church,  even  as  they  are  the 
holy  things  in  the  sacrament  of  the  Supper,  and  that 
Melchizedek  was  able  to  bless  Abram,  and  that  Abram 
gave  him  tithes  of  all.  S.  101. 

See  Psalm  cv.  9.  R.  474- 

See  Psalm  lxxxix.  30.  T.  262. 

The  statement  under  S.  101  partly  repeated  in  T.  264. 

This  is  written.  By  the  law  in  the  broadest  sense  is 
meant  the  whole  Word,  in  a  restricted  sense  the  statutes 
given  by  Moses,  and  in  a  confined  sense  the  decalogue. 

T.  288. 

Since  Divine  good  and  Divine  truth  are  the  most  uni- 
versal of  all  the  things  of  heaven  and  the  church,  there- 
fore Melchizedek,  who  represented  the  Lord,  brought 
forth  bread  and  wine  to  Abram,  and  blessed  him.  T.  715. 

From  peace  also  Jerusalem  was  called  Schelomim,  and 
on  that  account  Melchizedek,  who  was  priest  of  God 


PSALM   CX. 


417 


Most  High,  was  king  of  Salem  —  Genesis  xiv.  18  —  That 
he  represented  the  Lord  is  evident  from  the  Psalms. 

E.  365. 
Jehovah  God,  or  the  Lord,  never  swears,  but  when 
God  or  the  Divine  verity  wills  to  have  anything  confirmed 
before  men,  then  that  confirmation  in  its  descent  into  the 
natural  sphere  falls  into  an  oath,  or  into  the  form  of  an 
oath  as  used  in  the  world.  E.  608. 

4,  5.     See  Psalm  ii.  7,  12.     Add:  He  is  called  a  Priest  for 
ever  and  the  Lord.  L.  19. 

4-7.     From  this  He  has  authority  over  the  hells.         P.  P. 

5.  See  Psalm  ii.  10.  E.  31. 

5,  6.     See  Psalm  lxxii.  11.  R.  921. 
5-7.     Concerning  the  Lord  and  His  combats  against  the 

falsities  and  evils  which  are  from  hell.  Their  entire  sub- 
jection is  indicated.  By  kings  are  understood  falsities  from 
hell,  and  by  the  heathen  the  evils  thence  derived.  His 
Divine  power  is  understood  by  the  Lord  as  his  right  hand. 
The  subjugation  and  destruction  of  falsities  and  evils 
from  the  hells  is  signified  by  verses  5  and  6.  By  His 
wounding  the  head  over  many  nations  is  meant  the  love 
of  self,  from  which  come  all  evils  and  falsities,  and  its 
total  destruction  and  damnation.  By  verse  7  is  signified 
the  Word  in  the  letter,  to  drink  of  it  means  to  learn  some 
things  from  it,  to  exalt  or  lift  up  the  head  the  continuation 
thereby  of  repugnance,  for  they  who  are  in  falsities  from 
evil  cannot  be  cast  down  into  hell  before  the  things  which 
they  know  from  the  Word  are  taken  away  from  them, 
since  all  things  of  the  Word  communicate  with  heaven, 
by  which  communication  they  lift  up  the  head,  E.  518. 
This  passage  is  explained  in  E.  518.  E.  577. 

6,  7.     In  the  opposite  sense  insanity  and  folly  are  signified 
by  head.  R.  538. 

7,  Rivers  signify  truths  in  abundance.  R.  409. 


41 8  PSALM   CXI. 


PSALM  CXI. 

i.     Praise  ye  Jehovah. 

I  will  give  thanks  unto  Jehovah  with  my  whole  heart, 
In  the  council  of  the  upright,  and  in  the  congregation. 

2.  The  works  of  Jehovah  are  great, 

Sought  out  of  all  them  that  have  pleasure  therein. 

3.  His  work  is  honor  and  majesty; 

And  his  righteousness  endureth  for  ever. 

4.  He  hath  made  his  wonderful  works  to  be  remembered: 
Jehovah  is  gracious  and  merciful. 

5.  He  hath  given  food  unto  them  that  fear  him: 
He  will  ever  be  mindful  of  his  covenant. 

6.  He  hath  showed  his  people  the  power  of  his  works, 
In  giving  them  the  heritage  of  the  nations. 

7.  The  works  of  his  hands  are  truth  and  justice; 
All  his  precepts  are  sure. 

8.  They  are  established  for  ever  and  ever; 
They  are  done  in  truth  and  uprightness. 

9.  He  hath  sent  redemption  unto  his  people; 
He  hath  commanded  his  covenant  for  ever: 
Holy  and  reverend  is  his  name. 

10.     The  fear  of  Jehovah  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom; 

A  good  understanding  have  all  they  that  do  his  com- 
mandments: 
His  praise  endureth  for  ever.  - 

Psalm  CXI. 

1.  See  Psalm  cv.  45.  A.  8267. 
See  Psalm  civ.  35.  R.  803. 
See  Psalm  civ.  35.                                             E.  1197. 

1-4.     Celebration  and  confession  of  the  Lord,  P.  P. 

2,  3.     See  Psalm  viii.  6.  R.  249. 

By  the  works  of  Jehovah  are  understood  all  things 
which  proceed  from  Him  and  are  effected  by  Him.  Be- 
cause they  have  reference  to  Divine  truth  and  good,  it 
is  said,  "  His  work  is  honorable  and  glorious."      E.  288. 


PSALM   CXII.  419 

4.         See  Psalm  ciii.  8.  A.  598. 

4,  5.     See  Psalm  viii.  5.  A.  9849. 
5-9.     He  redeemed  men,  and  saves  to  eternity.  P.  P. 

5,  9.     See  Psalm  1.  5,  16.  E.  701. 
7.     All  things  which  are  done  by  the  Lord  are  called  the 

works  of  His  hands  which  are  His  own,  and  in  themselves 
goods  and  truths.  R.  457. 

Where  works  of  the  hands  in  the  Word  are  attributed 
to  Jehovah,  that  is  to  the  Lord,  they  signify  the  reformed 
or  regenerated  man,  likewise  the  church,  and  specifically 
the  doctrine  of  truth  and  good  pertaining  to  the  church. 

E.  585- 

9.     Meaning  regeneration.     It  is  called  a  covenant  because 

it  is  given  and  received.  A.  666. 

The  Word  is  the  covenant  itself  which  the  Lord  made 

with  man,  and  man  with  the  Lord,  for  the  Lord  descended 

as  the  Word,  that  is  as  Divine  truth,  therefore  the  Lord 

was  called  the  covenant  of  the  people.  T.  730. 

By  redemption  also  the  angels  understand  vindication 


10 


from  evils,  and  liberation  from  falsities. 

E.  328. 

Jehovah  has  sent  redemption  to  His  people. 

D.  P., 

Page  87. 

).     See  Psalm  xxii.  24. 

R.  527. 

See  Psalm  xxii.  24. 

E.  696. 

To  worship  Him  is  wisdom. 

P.  P. 

PSALM  CXII. 

Praise  ye  Jehovah. 

Blessed  is  the  man  that  feareth  Jehovah. 

That  delighteth  greatly  in  his  commandments. 

His  seed  shall  be  mighty  upon  earth: 

The  generation  of  the  upright  shall  be  blessed. 

Wealth  and  riches  are  in  his  house; 

And  his  righteousness  endureth  for  ever. 

Unto  the  upright  there  ariseth  light  in  the  darkness: 

He  is  gracious,  and  merciful,  and  righteous. 


420  PSALM   CXII. 

5.  Well  is  it  with  the  man  that    dealeth  graciously  and 

lendeth; 
He  shall  maintain  his  cause  in  judgment. 

6.  For  lie  shall  never  be  moved; 

The  righteous  shall    be  had  in  everlasting  remem- 
brance. 

7.  He  shall  not  be  afraid  of  evil  tidings: 
His  heart  is  fixed,  trusting  in  Jehovah. 

8.  His  heart  is  established,  he  shall  not  be  afraid, 
Until  he  see  his  desire  upon  his  adversaries. 

9.  He  hath  dispersed,  he  hath  given  to  the  needy; 
His  righteousness  endureth  for  ever: 

His  horn  shall  be  exalted  with  honor. 
10.     The  wicked  shall  see  it,  and  be  grieved; 

He  shall  gnash  with  his  teeth,  and  melt  away: 
The  desire  of  the  wicked  shall  perish. 


Psalm  CXII. 

1.     See  Psalm  cv.  45.  A.  8267. 

See  Psalm  xxii.  24.  R.  527. 

See  Psalm  civ.  35.  R.  803. 

See  Psalm  lxxxvi.  n.     Add:  to  delight  greatly  in  the 

precepts  of  Jehovah  is  to  love  them,  consequently  to  will 

and  do  them.  E.  696. 

See  Psalm  civ.  35.  E.  1197. 

1-7,  9.     He  that  trusts  in  the  Lord  and  lives  well  will  be 

saved.  P.  P. 

1,  3.     Wealth  and  riches  stand  for  the  wealth  and  riches 

of  wisdom  and  intelligence,  thus  for  knowledges,  which 

are  in  His  house,  that  is,  are  in  Him.  A.  1488. 

By  the  rich  are  here  meant  those  who  possessed  the 

knowledges  of  truth  and  good,  because  they  had  the  Word, 

who  were  the  Jews.  R.  206. 

5,  6.     See  Psalm  xxxvii.  21.     Add:  By  being  merciful  and 

lending  is  described  the  state  of  those  who  are  in  genuine 

charity.  A.  9174. 


PSALM   CXIII.  421 

5,  9.  That  horn  signifies  Divine  truth  is  manifest  because 
it  is  here  said  —  see  verse  9  —  Righteousness  in  the  Word 
is  predicated  of  good,  wherefore  horn  is  predicated  of 
truth,  for  in  every  particular  of  the  Word  there  is  a  mar- 
riage of  good  and  of  truth.  Honour  also  signifies  Divine 
truth.  E.  316. 

8,  10.  He  will  have  no  fear  of  the  hells,  however  much 
they  may  rise  up  against  Him.  P.  P. 

10.     See  Psalm  xxxv.  15,  16.  R.  435. 

See  Psalm  xxxv.  15,  16.  E.  556. 


PSALM  CXIII. 


Praise  ye  Jehovah. 

Praise,  O  ye  servants  of  Jehovah, 

Praise  the  name  of  Jehovah. 

Blessed  be  the  name  of  Jehovah 

From  this  time  forth  and  for  evermore. 

From  the  rising  of  the  sun  unto  the  going  down  of  the 

the  same 
Jehovah's  name  is  to  be  praised. 
Jehovah  is  high  above  all  nations, 
And  his  glory  above  the  heavens. 
Who  is  like  unto  Jehovah  our  God, 
That  hath  his  seat  on  high, 
That  humbleth  himself  to  behold 
The  things  that  are  in  heaven  and  in  the  earth  ? 
He  raiseth  up  the  poor  out  of  the  dust, 
And  lifteth  up  the  needy  from  the  dunghill; 
That  he  may  set  him  with  princes, 
Even  with  the  princes  of  his  people. 
He  maketh  the  barren  woman  to  keep  house, 
And  to  be  a  joyful  mother  of  children. 
Praise  ye  Jehovah. 


422  PSALM   CXIII. 


Psalm   CXIII. 

1-5.     Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord,  because  He  is  omnipotent. 

P.  P. 

1,  3.     To  praise  God  signifies  to  worship  Him,  hence  the 

praise  of  Him  is  the  worship  of  Him.  R.  809. 

1,  9.     See  Psalm  cv.  45.  A.  8267. 

See  Psalm  civ.  35.  R.  803. 

See  Psalm  civ.  35.  E.  1197. 

3.         See  Psalm  1.  1.  E.  401. 

From  the  rising  of  the  sun  until  the  going  down  —  east 

and  west.     See  Psalm  1.  1.  E.  422. 

5.  See  Psalm  lxxvii.  14,  15.  A.  7401. 

6.  Because  He  came  into  the  world.  P.  P. 
7-9.     By  barren  are  meant  the  nations  who  are  called  to 

the  church  and  to  whom  the  church  is  transferred  when 
the  old  church  ceases,  that  is  when  they  who  were  before 
of  the  church  are  no  longer  in  faith  because  there  is  no 
charity,  this  latter  church  is  meant  by  the  barren  and 
desolate  who  should  have  many  sons.  A.  9325. 

That  they  who  are  in  falses  from  ignorance,  and  thence 
not  in  goods  are  to  be  instructed  in  truths  from  the  Lord 
is  signified  by  verse  7.  The  bruised  and  needy  are  those 
who  are  in  falses  from  ignorance,  and  thence  not  in  goods. 
The  primary  truths  of  the  church  in  which  they  are  to  be 
instructed  are  signified  by  verse  8.  That  the  life  derived 
from  the  marriage  of  truth  and  good  shall  be  with  those 
with  wrhom  it  was  not  before  is  signified  by  verse  9.  To 
dwell  means  to  live,  the  barren  house  where  there  was  no 
marriage  of  truth  and  good,  the  glad  mother  of  sons  the 
church  wherein  truths  are  born  from  good.  E.  721. 

Because  He  will  save  those  who  will  be  of  His  church. 

P.  P. 


PSALM   CXIV. 


PSALM  CXIV. 


423 


When  Israel  went  forth  out  of  Egypt, 

The  house  of  Jacob  from  a  people  of  strange  language: 

Judah  became  his  sanctuary, 

Israel  his  dominion. 

The  sea  saw  it,  and  fled; 

The  Jordan  was  driven  back. 

The  mountains  skipped  like  rams, 

The  little  hills  like  lambs. 

What  aileth  thee,  O  thou  sea,  that  thou  fleest  ? 

Thou  Jordan,  that  thou  turnest  back  ? 

Ye  mountains,  that  ye  skip  like  rams; 

Ye  little  hills,  like  lambs  ? 

Tremble,  thou  earth,  at  the  presence  of  the  Lord, 

At  the  presence  of  the  God  of  Jacob, 

Who  turned  the  rock  into  a  pool  of  water, 

The  flint  into  a  fountain  of  waters. 

Psalm  CXIV. 

1,  2.  Judah  stands  for  celestial  good,  which  is  the  good  of 
love  to  the  Lord,  and  Israel  for  celestial  truth,  or  spiritual 
good.  A.  3654. 

The  church  established  by  the  Lord  from  the  nations. 

P.  P. 
1-8.  Here  in  the  internal  sense  the  spiritual  good  after 
regeneration  is  treated  of  and  is  described  as  to  its  quality, 
its  celestial  spiritual  by  the  mountains  leaping  like  rams, 
and  its  celestial  natural  by  the  hills  like  the  sons  of  the 
flock.  A.  2830. 

2.  The  heavenly  kingdom  and  its  love,  which  is  love  to 
the  Lord,  is  signified  by  Judah  and  his  tribe.  R.  350. 

See  Ezekiel  xlviii.  8-22.  By  the  land  is  understood  the 
church,  consequently  by  the  tribes  such  things  as  pertain 
to  the  church,  by  Judah  the  celestial  church,  or  the  church 
which  is  in  love  to  the  Lord,  in  which  therefore  the  sane- 


424  PSALM   CXIV. 

2  tuary  is.  The  same  is  understood  by  Judah  and  Israel 
here.  The  sanctuary  signifies  in  the  supreme  sense  the 
Lord  himself  and  in  a  derivative  sense  the  worship  of 
Him  from  the  good  of  love,  Israel  the  truth  of  the  church 
derived  from  that  good.  Since  all  power  belongs  to  that 
truth,  or  to  good  by  truths,  therefore  it  is  said  that  Israel 
was  his  dominion.  E.  433. 

2-7.  The  departure  of  the  Israelites  out  of  Egypt  is  de- 
scribed in  these  words.  The  establishment  of  a  church 
is  here  understood,  or  the  regeneration  of  the  men  of  the 
church,  for  the  church  is  signified  by  Israel,  and  the  estab- 
lishment thereof  by  their  departure  from  Egypt.  The 
shaking  off  of  evils  is  signified  by  their  passing  through 
the  red  sea,  and  the  introduction  into  the  church  by  their 
passing  over   Jordan.     (Details   left   out.)  E.  405. 

2>  3>  5«  Judah  stands  for  the  good  of  celestial  love,  Israel 
for  the  good  of  spiritual  love,  the  sea  for  knowledges  of 
truth,  Jordan  for  knowledges  of  good,  which  are  said  to 
be  turned  back  when  the  good  of  love  obtains  the  domin- 
ion; for  then  knowledges  are  viewed  from  that  good,  but 
not  good  from  them.  A.  4255. 

3-6.  Its  falsities  have  been  removed,  and  the  goods  of  love 
and  charity  take  their  place.  P.  P. 

4-7.     See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  R.  336. 

4,  6.     See  Psalm  lxviii.  16,  17.  A.  6435. 

7.     The  God  of  Jacob  is  the  Lord.  A.  3305. 

The  Lord  is  called  the  God  of  Israel  and  the  God  of 

Jacob.  L.  39. 

By  being  with  child,  travailing  and  bringing  forth  is 

signified  conceiving  and  bringing  forth  the  tilings  which 

are  of  spiritual  life.     The  difficulty  of  receiving  the  truths 

of  doctrine  from  the  Word  is  described  by  many  things 

that  relate  to  pain  in  travailing.  R.  535. 

That  the  natural  births  mentioned  in  the  Word  involve 

spiritual  births  is  clearly  manifest.  T.  583. 

By  bring  forth  O  earth  is  signified  the  establishment 


PSALM   CXV. 


425 


of  the  church,  or  the  reformation  of  those  who  will  be  of 
the  church.  To  bring  forth  means  to  receive  truths  and 
to  be  reformed.  The  earth  stands  for  the  church.  It  is 
said  from  before  the  Lord  and  from  before  the  God  of 
Jacob,  because  reformation  is  understood  as  to  good 
and  as  to  truth,  for  the  Lord  is  called  Lord  from  good,  and 
God  from  truth.  E.  721. 

7,  8.     See  Psalm  cvii.  33,  35.  A.  7324. 

By  a  lake  is  signified  where  there  is  truth  in  abundance. 

R.  835. 

See  Psalm  lxxviii.  15,  16,  20,  35.  E.  411. 

By  the  standing  water  and  the  fountains  of  water  here 
mentioned  are  understood  truths  in  abundance  by  which 
the  church  is  formed,  for  by  the  earth  trembling  is  signified 
the  commencement  of  the  church,  which  is  said  to  tremble 
or  to  bring  forth  when  truths  are  therein  produced,  the 
earth  standing  for  the  church.  E.  483. 

Because  the  church  is  from  the  Lord,  who  will  instruct 
those  who  are  in  ignorance.  P.  P. 


PSALM  CXV. 


1.  Not  unto  us,  O  Jehovah,  not  unto  us, 
But  unto  thy  name  give  glory, 

For  thy  lovingkindness,  and  for  thy  truth's  sake. 

2.  Wherefore  should  the  nations  say, 
Where  is  now  their  God  ? 

3.  But  our  God  is  in  the  heavens: 

He  hath  done  whatsoever  he  pleased. 

4.  Their  idols  are  silver  and  gold, 
The  work  of  men's  hands. 

5.  They  have  mouths,  but  they  speak  not; 
Eyes  have  they,  but  they  see  not; 

6.  They  have  ears,  but  they  hear  not; 
Noses  have  they,  but  they  smell  not; 


426  PSALM  CXV. 

7.  They  have  hands,  but  they  handle  not; 
Feet  have  they,  but  they  walk  not; 
Neither  speak  they  through  their  throat. 

8.  They  that  make  them  shall  be  like  unto  them; 
Yea,  every  one  that  trusteth  in  them. 

9.  O  Israel,  trust  thou  in  Jehovah: 
He  is  their  help  and  their  shield. 

10.     O  house  of  Aaron,  trust  ye  in  Jehovah: 

He  is  their  help  and  their  shield, 
n.     Ye  that  fear  Jehovah,  trust  in  Jehovah: 

He  is  their  help  and  their  shield. 

12.  Jehovah  hath  been  mindful  of  us;  he  will  bless  us: 
He  will  bless  the  house  of  Israel; 

He  will  bless  the  house  of  Aaron. 

13.  He  will  bless  them  that  fear  Jehovah, 
Both  small  and  great. 

14.  Jehovah  increase  you  more  and  more, 
You  and  your  children. 

15.  Blessed  are  ye  of  Jehovah, 
Who  made  heaven  and  earth. 

16.  The  heavens  are  the  heavens  of  Jehovah; 

But  the  earth  hath  he  given  to  the  children  of  men. 

17.  The  dead  praise  not  Jehovah, 
Neither  any  that  go  down  into  silence; 

18.  But  we  will  bless  Jehovah 

From  this  time  forth  and  for  evermore. 
Praise  ye  Jehovah. 


Psalm  CXV 

1.     See  Psalm  lxi.  8.  A.  3122. 

1-3.     Omnipotence  belongs  to  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

4.  The  work  of  the  hands  stands  for  what  is  from  the 
proprium  of  man,  thus  what  is  from  his  own  proper  under- 
standing and  from  his  own  proper  will.  Those  things 
are  from  the  proprium  of  each  which  are  of  self-love, 
hence  the  origin  of  all  falses  in  the  church.  Falses  and 
evils  of  doctrines  are  signified  by  graven  and  molten 
things.  A.  10406. 


PSALM   CXV.  427 

4,  5.  The  silver  and  gold  which  are  idols  stand  for  falsities 
and  evils,  the  work  of  man's  hand  for  their  being  of  self- 
intelligence.  A.  8932. 

By  idols  are  properly  signified  the  falsities  of  worship 
from  one's  own  intelligence.  R.  459. 

Verse  4  signifies  external  worship  without  internal, 
confirmed  from  the  literal  sense  of  the  Word  not  under- 
stood, and  also  from  the  fallacies  of  the  senses,  the  work 
of  man's  hands  signifies  from  self-derived  intelligence. 
Verse  5  signifies  that  thus  they  have  neither  thought, 
nor  understanding  of  truth.  E.  587. 

4-6.  The  case  herein  is  as  with  an  effigy  after  the  resem- 
blance of  a  man  in  which  inwardly  there  is  nothing  but 
clay,  as  compared  to  the  form  of  the  man  himself,  in 
which  inwardly  there  is  life  and  heavenly  beauty;  if 
truths  derived  from  good  are  therein.  A.  9424. 

4-8.  From  what  is  his  own,  man  is  nothing  but  falsity  of 
evil.  P.  P. 

5.  There  is  nothing  of  spiritual  and  truly  rational  life  in 
idols.  Falsities  of  worship  are  signified  by  idols,  and  in 
such  falsities  there  is  nothing  of  life,  which  is  life.     R.  460. 

9-1 1.     See  Psalm  vii.  10,  11.  A.  1788. 

The  trust  of  all  who  are  in  truths  and  goods  should  be 

in  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

9,  10,  12.  On  account  of  the  brotherhood  which  is  between 
truth  which  is  of  judgment,  and  good  which  is  of  worship, 
Aaron  the  brother  of  Moses  was  chosen  to  perform  the 
office  of  the  priesthood.  Therefore  by  Aaron  and  his 
house  is  signified  good.  A0  9806. 

10,  11.     See  Psalm  xxii.  24.  R.  527. 
By  the  house  of  Aaron  are  signified  all  who  are  in  the 

good  of  love,  and  by  them  that  fear  Jehovah  all  who  are 
in  truth  from  that  good.  E.  696. 

12.       See  Psalm  viii.  5.  A.  9849. 

12,  13.  They  that  fear  Jehovah  stand  for  those  who  wor- 
ship from  the  good  of  faith,  which  is  the  house  of  Israel, 


428  PSALM    CXV. 

and  from  the  good  of  love,  which  is  the  house  of  Aaron. 
They  are  both  named  on  account  of  the  heavenly  marriage. 

A.  2826. 
12-15,   J8.     The  Lord  will  save  them.  P.  P. 

15.  See  Psalm  xxxvii.  22.  E.  340. 

16.  Heaven  and  the  church  are  His.  P.  P. 

17.  Those  who  do  not  trust  in  the  Lord  will  not  be  saved. 

P.  P. 

17,  18.     See  Psalm  cv.  45.  A.  8267. 

See  Psalm  civ.  35.  R.  803. 

See  Psalm  civ.  35.  E.  1197. 


PSALM  CXVI. 


I  love  Jehovah,  because  he  heareth 

My  voice  and  my  supplications. 

Because  he  hath  inclined  his  ear  unto  me, 

Therefore  will  I  call  upon  him  as  long  as  I  live. 

The  cords  of  death  compassed  me, 

And  the  pains  of  Sheol  gat  hold  upon  me: 

I  found  trouble  and  sorrow. 

Then  called  I  upon  the  name  of  Jehovah: 

0  Jehovah,  I  beseech  thee,  deliver  my  soul. 
Gracious  is  Jehovah,  and  righteous; 

Yea,  our  God  is  merciful. 
Jehovah  preserve th  the  simple: 

1  was  brought  low,  and  he  saved  me. 
Return  unto  thy  rest,  O  my  soul; 

For  Jehovah  hath  dealt  bountifully  with  thee. 
For  thou  hast  delivered  my  soul  from  death, 
Mine  eyes  from  tears, 
And  my  feet  from  falling. 
I  will  walk  before  Jehovah 
In  the  land  of  the  living. 
I  believe,  for  I  will  speak* 
I  was  greatly  afflicted: 


PSALM   CXVI.  429 

11.  I  said  in  my  haste, 
All  men  are  liars. 

12.  What  shall  I  render  unto  Jehovah 
For  all  his  benefits  toward  me  ? 

13.  I  will  take  the  cup  of  salvation, 
And  call  upon  the  name  of  Jehovah. 

14.  I  will  pay  my  vows  unto  Jehovah, 
Yea,  in  the  presence  of  all  his  people. 

15.  Precious  in  the  sight  of  Jehovah 
Is  the  death  of  his  saints. 

16.  O  Jehovah,  truly  I  am  thy  servant: 

I  am  thy  servant,  the  son  of  thy  handmaid; 
Thou  hast  loosed  my  bonds. 

17.  I  will  offer  to  thee  the  sacrifice  of  thanksgiving, 
And  I  will  call  upon  the  name  of  Jehovah. 

18.  I  will  pay  my  vows  unto  Jehovah, 
Yea,  in  the  presence  of  all  his  people, 

19.  In  the  courts  of  Jehovah's  house, 
In  the  midst  of  thee,  O  Jerusalem. 
Praise  ye  Jehovah. 


Psalm  CXVI. 

1-11.     Song  in  praise  of  the  Father  by  the  Lord,  that  He 

gave  help  in  grievous  temptations.  P.  P. 

3.  See  Psalm  xviii.  5,  6.  R.  321. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  5,  6.  R.  870. 

12,  13.     By  taking  the  cup  of  salvation  is  signified  the  ap- 
propriation of  the  goods  of  faith.  A.  5120. 

See  Psalm  xi.  6.  R.  672. 

12-19.     Thus  the  Divine  will  be  worshipped  in  the  Lord. 

P.  P. 

13,  See  Psalm  xxiii.  5.  E.  960. 

14,  18,  19.     By  the  courts  here  mentioned  is  undertsood 
heaven,  specifically  the  ultimate  heaven  and  the  church. 

E.  630. 
14,  19.     See  Psalm  lxv.  5.  R.  487. 


430  PSALM  CXVII. 

15.  That  they  who  have  afflicted  their  soul,  crucified  their 
flesh,  and  suffered  temptations  are  signified  by  the  dead, 
is  because  by  these  means  they  have  mortified  their 
former  life,  and  thence  have  become  as  dead  before  the 
world.  R.  639. 

The  death  of  the  saints  does  not  signify  damnation,  but 
the  separation  and  removal  of  the  unclean  things  of  their 
spirit,  thus  regeneration  and  resurrection.  E.  899. 

16.  See  Psalm  xxvii.  9.  E.  409. 

17.  See  Psalm  xl.  7,  8.  A.  2180. 
17,  18.  See  Psalm  1.  14,  23.  A.  3880. 
19.            See  Psalm  cv.  45.                                          A.  8267. 

See  Psalm  civ.  35.  R.  803. 

See  Psalm  civ.  35.  E.  1197. 


PSALM  CXVII. 


1.  Oh  praise  Jehovah,  all  ye  nations; 
Laud  him,  all  ye  peoples. 

2.  For  his  lovingkindness  is  great  toward  us; 
And  the  truth  of  Jehovah  endureth  for  ever. 
Praise  ye  Jehovah. 

Psalm   CXVII. 

1.     See  Psalm  cxiii.  1,  3.  R.  809. 

1,  2.     Song  of  praise  to  the  Father  by  the  Lord,  that  He 
gave  help  in  temptations.  P.  P. 

2.  See  Psalm  civ.  35.  R.  803. 
See  Psalm  civ.  35.                                                E.  1197. 


PSALM   CXVIII.  431 


PSALM  CXVIII. 

1.  Oh  give  thanks  unto  Jehovah;  for  he  is  good; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever. 

2.  Let  Israel  now  say, 

That  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever. 

3.  Let  the  house  of  Aaron  now  say, 

That  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever. 

4.  Let  them  now  that  fear  Jehovah  say, 
That  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever. 

5.  Out  of  my  distress  I  called  upon  Jehovah: 
Jehovah  answered  me  and  set  me  in  a  large  place. 

6.  Jehovah  is  on  my  side;  I  will  not  fear: 
What  can  man  do  unto  me  ? 

7.  Jehovah  is  on  my  side  among  them  that  help  me: 
Therefore  shall  I  see  my  desire  upon  them  that  hate  me. 

8.  It  is  better  to  take  refuge  in  Jehovah 
Than  to  put  confidence  in  man. 

9.  It  is  better  to  take  refuge  in  Jehovah 
Than  to  put  confidence  in  princes. 

10.  All  nations  compassed  me  about: 

In  the  name  of  Jehovah  I  will  cut  them  off. 

11.  They  compassed  me  about;  yea,  they  compassed  me 

about: 
In  the  name  of  Jehovah  I  will  cut  them  off. 

12.  They  compassed  me  about  like  bees;  they  are  quenched 

as  the  fire  of  thorns: 
In  the  name  of  Jehovah  I  will  cut  them  off. 

13.  Thou  didst  thrust  sore  at  me  that  I  might  fall; 
But  Jehovah  helped  me. 

14.  Jehovah  is  my  strength  and  song; 
And  he  is  become  my  salvation. 

15.  The  voice  of  rejoicing  and  salvation  is  in  the  tents  of 

the  righteous: 
The  right  hand  of  Jehovah  doeth  valiantly. 

16.  The  right  hand  of  Jehovah  is  exalted: 
The  right  hand  of  Jehovah  doeth  valiantly. 

17.  I  shall  not  die,  but  live, 

And  declare  the  works  of  Jehovah. 


432  PSALM   CXVIII. 

1 8.  Jehovah  hath  chastened  me  sore; 

But  he  hath  not  given  me  over  unto  death. 

19.  Open  to  me  the  gates  of  righteousness: 

I  will  enter  into  them,  I  will  give  thanks  unto  Jehovah. 

20.  This  is  the  gate  of  Jehovah; 
The  righteous  shall  enter  into  it. 

21.  I  will  give  thanks  unto  thee;  for  thou  hast  answered  me, 
And  art  become  my  salvation. 

22.  The  stone  which  the  builders  rejected 
Is  become  the  head  of  the  corner. 

23.  This  is  Jehovah's  doing; 
It  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes. 

24.  This  is  the  day  which  Jehovah  hath  made; 
We  will  rejoice  and  be  glad  in  it. 

25.  Save  now,  we  beseech  thee,  O  Jehovah: 

O  Jehovah,  we  beseech  thee,  send  now  prosperity. 

26.  Blessed  be  he  that  cometh  in  the  name  of  Jehovah 
We  have  blessed  you  out  of  the  house  of  Jehovah. 

27.  Jehovah  is  God,  and  he  hath  given  us  light: 

Bind  the  sacrifice  with  cords,  even  unto  the  horns  of  the 
altar. 

28.  Thou  art  my  God,  and  I  will  give  thanks  unto  thee. 
Thou  art  my  God,  I  will  exalt  thee. 

29.  Oh  give  thanks  unto  Jehovah;  for  he  is  good; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever. 


Psalm  CXVIII. 

1-4.     Song  of  praise  to  the  Father  by  the  Lord,  for  the 

church.  P.  P. 

2,  3.     See  Psalm  cxv.  9,  10,  12.  A.  9806. 

5.     To  answer  in  a  broad  place  means  in  the  truth.  A.  161 3. 

See  Psalm  xxxi.  9.  A.  4482. 

See  Psalm  xxxi.  9.  A.  9487. 

In  the  Word  by  places  and  spaces,  and  by  all  things 

that  derive  anything  from  space  are  signified  such  things 

as  relate  to  state.     By  breadth  is  signified  truth.  H.  197. 

By  breadth  is  signified  truth.     See   Habakkuk  i.   6: 

Isaiah  viii.  8,  etc.  R.  861. 


psalm  cxviii.  433 

5-9.     He  helped  Him  in  His  distresses.  P.  P. 

5,  13,  14,  17,  19.  It  is  said,  "  Jah  is  my  song,"  because  by 
song  is  signified  faith  which  is  of  Divine  truth.  By  Jah 
is  signified  Divine  truth.  A.  8267. 

10-14.  The  evil  fought  against  Him,  but  He  was  helped 
by  the  Divine.       '  P.  P. 

12.  The  fire  of  thorns  stands  for  the  lusts  of  evil.  Thorns 
mean  falses.  A.  9144. 

14-16.  The  right  hand  of  Jehovah  stands  for  omnipotence, 
and  in  the  supreme  sense  for  the  Lord  as  to  Divine  truth. 

A.  8281. 

15,  16.     See  Psalm  xvi.  8.  E.  298. 

Joy  because  there  is  Divine  power  through  His  Human. 

P.  P. 

17.     The  Divine  truth  is  from  Him.  P.  P. 

18-22.     He  it  is  through  whom  is  all  salvation.  P.  P. 

22.     Because   in   ancient  times   truths  were   signified  by 

stones,  and  afterwards  when  worship  began  upon  pillars, 

and  altars,  and  in  temples,  therefore  the  Lord  was  also 

called  a  stone.  A.  1298. 

Corners  stand  for  strength  and  firmness,  firmness  of 

doctrine  grounded  in  truth  which  is  from  good  is  here 

meant.  A.  9494. 

A  corner  signifies  the  ultimate  which  sustains  things 

higher,  as  the  foundation  does  a  house,  and  so  also  all 

things.  ■  R.  342. 

By  the  corner  stone  is  signified  all  Divine  truth  upon 

which  heaven  and  the  church  are  founded,  thus  every 

foundation,  and  since  the  foundation  is  the  ultimate  upon 

which  a  house  or  temple  rests,  therefore  it  signifies  all 

things.  E.  418. 

That  the  Lord  the  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  is  called  in 

the  Word  of  both  Testaments  a  Stone  and  a  Rock  is  plain. 

See  Isaiah  xxviii.  16,  17:  Matthew  xxi.  42,  etc.     Coro.  2. 

22,  23.  Stone  in  the  supreme  sense  is  the  Lord  as  to  Divine 
truth  of  His  spiritual  kingdom.  A.  6426. 


434  PSALM   CXVIII. 

Divine  truth  is  signified  by  a  stone,  and  the  Lord  as  to 
Divine  truth  is  understood  by  a  rock.  E.  411. 

22-25.  It  is  the  Divine  Human  from  His  Divine  in  himself 
which  is  the  source.  P.  P. 

24.     See  Psalm  xl.  17.  E.  660. 

26-29.     Happy  is  he  who  confesses  and  worships  the  Lord 

P.  P. 

27.     See  Psalm  xxvi.  6,  7.  R.  392. 

By  "He  enlighteneth  us"  is  signified  illumination  in 
truths,  by  binding  the  sacrifice  with  cords  even  unto  the 
horns  of  the  altar,  is  signified  to  conjoin  all  things  of 
worship,  to  bind  with  cords  means  to  conjoin,  the  sacrifice 
at  the  horns  of  the  altar  —  all  things  of  worship.  Horns 
being  ultimates  stand  for  all  things,  sacrifice  and  altar  for 
worship.  All  things  of  worship  are  conjoined  when 
externals  are  conjoined  with  internals,  and  when  goods 
are  conjoined  with  truths.  E.  391. 


PSALM  CXIX. 

ALEPH. 

Blessed  are  they  that  are  perfect  in  the  wray, 

Who  walk  in  the  law  of  Jehovah. 

Blessed  are  they  that  keep  his  testimonies, 

That  seek  him  with  the  whole  heart. 

Yea,  they  do  no  unrighteousness; 

They  walk  in  his  ways. 

Thou  hast  commanded  us  thy  precepts, 

That  we  should  observe  them  diligently. 

Oh  that  my  ways  were  established 

To  observe  thy  statutes! 

Then  shall  I  not  be  put  to  shame, 

When  I  have  respect  unto  all  thy  commandments. 

I  will  give  thanks  unto  thee  with  uprightness  of  heart, 

W7hen  I  learn  thy  righteous  judgments. 

I  will  observe  thy  statutes: 

Oh  forsake  me  not  utterly. 


PSALM    CXIX. 


BETH. 


435 


9.     Wherewith  shall  a  young  man  cleanse  his  way  ? 
By  taking  heed  thereto  according  to  thy  word. 

10.  With  my  whole  heart  have  I  sought  thee: 

Oh  let  me  not  wander  from  thy  commandments. 

11.  Thy  word  have  I  laid  up  in  my  heart, 
That  I  might  not  sin  against  thee. 

12.  Blessed  art  thou,  O  Jehovah: 
Teach  me  thy  statutes. 

13.  With  my  lips  have  I  declared 
All  the  ordinances  of  thy  mouth. 

14.  I  have  rejoiced  in  the  way  of  thy  testimonies, 
As  much  as  in  all  riches. 

15.  I  will  meditate  on  thy  precepts, 
And  have  respect  unto  thy  ways. 

16.  I  will  delight  myself  in  thy  statutes: 
I  will  not  forget  thy  word. 

GIMEL. 

17.  Deal  bountifully  with  thy  servant,  that  I  may  live: 
So  will  I  observe  thy  word. 

18.  Open  thou  mine  eyes,  that  I  may  behold 
Wondrous  things  out  of  thy  law. 

19.  I  am  a  sojourner  in  the  earth: 

Hide  not  thy  commandments  from  me. 

20.  My  soul  breaketh  for  the  longing 

That  it  hath  unto  thine  ordinances  at  all  times. 

21.  Thou  hast  rebuked  the  proud  that  are  cursed, 
That  do  wander  from  thy  commandments. 

22.  Take  away  from  me  reproach  and  contempt; 
For  I  have  kept  thy  testimonies. 

23.  Princes  also  sat  and  talked  against  me; 

But  thy  servant  did  meditate  on  thy  statutes. 

24.  Thy  testimonies  also  are  my  delight 
And  my  counsellors. 

DALETH. 

25.  My  soul  cleaveth  unto  the  dust: 
Quicken  thou  me  according  to  thy  word. 


436  PSALM   CXIX. 

26.  I  declared  my  ways,  and  thou  answeredst  me: 
Teach  me  thy  statutes. 

27.  'Make  me  to  understand  the  way  of  thy  precepts: 

So  shall  I  meditate  on  thy  wondrous  works. 

28.  My  soul  melteth  for  heaviness: 
Strengthen  thou  me  according  unto  thy  word. 

29.  Remove  from  me  the  way  of  falsehood; 
And  grant  me  thy  law  graciously. 

30.  I  have  chosen  the  way  of  faithfulness: 
Thine  ordinances  have  I  set  be j ore  me. 

31.  I  cleave  unto  thy  testimonies: 

O  Jehovah,  put  me  not  to  shame. 

32.  I  will  run  the  way  of  thy  commandments, 
When  thou  shalt  enlarge  my  heart. 

HE. 

33.  Teach  me,  O  Jehovah,  the  way  of  thy  statutes; 
And  I  shall  keep  it  unto  the  end. 

34.  Give  me  understanding,  and  I  shall  keep  thy  law; 
Yea,  I  shall  observe  it  with  my  whole  heart. 

35.  Make  me  to  go  in  the  path  of  thy  commandments; 
For  therein  do  I  delight. 

36.  Incline  my  heart  unto  thy  testimonies, 
And  not  to  covetousness. 

37.  Turn  away  mine  eyes  from  beholding  vanity, 
And  quicken  me  in  thy  ways. 

38.  Confirm  unto  thy  servant  thy  word, 
Which  is  in  order  unto  the  fear  of  thee. 

39.  Turn  away  my  reproach  whereof  I  am  afraid; 
For  thine  ordinances  are  good. 

40.  Behold,  I  have  longed  after  thy  precepts: 
Quicken  me  in  thy  righteousness. 

VAV. 

41.  Let  thy  lovingkindnesses  also  come  unto  me,  O  Jehovah, 
Even  thy  salvation,  according  to  thy  word. 

42.  So  shall  I  have  an  answer  for  him  that  reproacheth  me; 
For  I  trust  in  thy  word. 

43 .  And  take  not  the  word  of  truth  utterly  out  of  my  mouth ; 
For  I  have  hoped  in  thy  ordinances. 


psalm  cxix.  437 

44.  So  shall  I  observe  thy  law  continually 
For  ever  and  ever. 

45.  And  I  shall  walk  at  liberty; 
For  I  have  sought  thy  precepts. 

46.  I  will  also  speak  of  thy  testimonies  before  kings, 
And  shall  not  be  put  to  shame. 

47.  And  I  will  delight  myself  in  thy  commandments, 
Which  I  have  loved. 

48.  I  will  lift  up  my  hands  also  unto  thy  commandments, 

which  I  have  loved; 
And  I  will  meditate  on  thy  statutes. 

ZAYIN. 

49.  Remember  the  word  unto  thy  servant, 
Because  thou  hast  made  me  to  hope. 

50.  This  is  my  comfort  in  my  affliction; 
For  thy  word  hath  quickened  me. 

51.  The  proud  have  had  me  greatly  in  derision: 
Yet  have  I  not  swerved  from  my  law. 

52.  I  have  remembered  thine  ordinances  of  old,  O  Jehovah, 
And  have  comforted  myself. 

53.  Hot  indignation  hath  taken  hold  upon  me, 
Because  of  the  wicked  that  forsake  thy  law. 

54.  Thy  statutes  have  been  my  songs 
In  the  house  of  my  pilgrimage. 

55.  I  have  remembered  thy  name,  O  Jehovah,  in  the  night, 
And  have  observed  thy  law. 

56.  This  I  have  had, 

Because  I  have  kept  thy  precepts. 

HHETH. 

57.  Jehovah  is  my  portion: 

I  have  said  that  I  would  observe  thy  words. 

58.  I  entreated  thy  favor  with  my  whole  heart: 
Be  merciful  unto  me  according  to  thy  word. 

59.  I  thought  on  my  ways, 

And  turned  my  feet  unto  thy  testimonies. 

60.  I  made  haste,  and  delayed  not, 
To  observe  thy  commandments. 


438  PSALM   CXIX. 

61.  The  cords  of  the  wicked  have  wrapped  me  round; 
But  I  have  not  forgotten  thy  law. 

62.  At  midnight  I  will  rise  to  give  thanks  unto  thee 
Because  of  thy  righteous  ordinances. 

63.  I  am  a  companion  of  all  them  that  fear  thee, 
And  of  them  that  observe  thy  precepts. 

64.  The  earth,  O  Jehovah,  is  full  of  thy  lovingkindness* 
Teach  me  thy  statutes. 

TETH. 

65.  Thou  hast  dealt  well  with  thy  servant, 
O  Jehovah,  according  unto  thy  word. 

66.  Teach  me  good  judgment  and  knowledge; 
For  I  have  believed  in  thy  commandments. 

67.  Before  I  was  afflicted  I  went  astray; 
But  now  I  observe  thy  word. 

68.  Thou  art  good,  and  doest  good; 
Teach  me  thy  statutes. 

69.  The  proud  have  forged  a  lie  against  me: 
With  my  whole  heart  will  I  keep  thy  precepts. 

70.  Their  heart  is  as  fat  as  grease; 
But  I  delight  in  thy  law. 

71.  It  is  good  for  me  that  I  have  been  afflicted; 
That  I  may  learn  thy  statutes. 

72.  The  law  of  thy  mouth  is  better  unto  me 
Than  thousands  of  gold  and  silver. 

YODH. 

73.  Thy  hands  have  made  me  and  fashioned  me: 

Give  me  understanding,  that  I  may  learn  thy  com- 
mandments. 

74.  They  that  fear  thee  shall  see  me  and  be  glad, 
Because  I  have  hoped  in  thy  word. 

75.  I  know,  O  Jehovah,  that  thy  judgments  are  righteous, 
And  that  in  faithfulness  thou  hast  afflicted  me. 

76.  Let,  I  pray  thee,  thy  lovingkindness  be  for  my  comfort, 
According  to  thy  word  unto  thy  servant. 

77.  Let  thy  tender  mercies  come  unto  me,  that  I  may  live; 
For  thy  law  is  my  delight. 


PSALM   CXIX.  439 

78.  Let  the  proud  be  put  to  shame;   for  they  have  over- 

thrown me  wrongfully: 
But  I  will  meditate  on  thy  precepts. 

79.  Let  those  that  fear  thee  turn  unto  me; 
And  they  shall  know  thy  testimonies. 

80.  Let  my  heart  be  perfect  in  thy  statutes, 
That  I  be  not  put  to  shame. 

KAPH. 

81.  My  soul  fainteth  for  thy  salvation; 
But  I  hope  in  thy  word. 

82.  Mine  eyes  fail  for  thy  word, 

While  I  say,  When  wilt  thou  comfort  me  ? 

83.  For  I  am  become  like  a  wine-skin  in  the  smoke; 
Yet  do  I  not  forget  thy  statutes. 

84.  How  many  are  the  days  of  thy  servant  ? 

When  wilt  thou  execute  judgment  on  them  that  per- 
secute me? 

85.  The  proud  have  digged  pits  for  me, 
Who  are  not  according  to  thy  law. 

86.  All  thy  commandments  are  faithful: 

They  persecute  me  wrongfully;  help  thou  me. 

87.  They  had  almost  consumed  me  upon  earth; 
But  I  forsook  not  thy  precepts. 

88.  Quicken  me  after  thy  lovingkindness; 

So  shall  I  observe  the  testimony  of  thy  mouth. 

LAMEDH. 

89.  For  ever,  O  Jehovah, 

Thy  word  is  settled  in  heaven. 

90.  Thy  faithfulness  is  unto  all  generations: 
Thou  hast  established  the  earth,  and  it  abideth. 

91.  They  abide  this  day  according  to  thine  ordinances; 
For  all  things  are  thy  servants. 

92.  Unless  thy  law  had  been  my  delight, 

I  should  then  have  perished  in  mine  affliction. 

93.  I  will  never  forget  thy  precepts; 

For  with  them  thou  hast  quickened  me. 

94.  I  am  thine,  save  me; 

For  I  have  sought  thy  precepts. 


440  PSALM   CXIX. 

95.  The  wicked  have  waited  for  me,  to  destroy  me; 
But  I  will  consider  thy  testimonies. 

96.  I  have  seen  an  end  of  all  perfection; 

But  thy  commandment  is  exceeding  broad. 

MEM. 

97.  Oh  how  love  I  thy  law ! 

It  is  my  meditation  all  the  day. 

98.  Thy    commandments    make    me   wiser   than    mine 

enemies; 
For  they  are  ever  with  me. 

99.  I  have  more  understanding  than  all  my  teachers; 
For  thy  testimonies  are  my  meditation. 

100.  I  understand  more  than  the  aged, 
Because  I  have  kept  thy  precepts. 

1 01.  I  have  refrained  my  feet  from  every  evil  way, 
That  I  might  observe  thy  word. 

102.  I  have  not  turned  aside  from  thine  ordinances; 
For  thou  hast  taught  me. 

103.  How  sweet  are  thy  words  unto  my  taste! 
Yea,  sweeter  than  honey  to  my  mouth! 

104.  Through  thy  precepts  I  get  understanding: 
Therefore  I  hate  every  false  way. 

NUN. 

105.  Thy  word  is  a  lamp  unto  my  feet, 
And  light  unto  my  path. 

106.  I  have  sworn,  and  have  confirmed  it, 

That  I  will  observe  thy  righteous  ordinances. 

107.  I  am  afflicted  very  much: 

Quicken  me,  O  Jehovah,  according  unto  thy  word. 

108.  Accept,  I  beseech  thee,  the  freewill-offerings  of  my 

mouth,  O  Jehovah, 
And  teach  me  thine  ordinances. 

109.  My  soul  is  continually  in  my  hand; 
Yet  do  I  not  forget  thy  law. ' 

no.     The  wicked  have  laid  a  snare  for  me; 

Yet  have  I  not  gone  astray  from  thy  precepts, 
in.     Thy  testimonies  have  I  taken  as  a  heritage  for  ever; 

For  they  are  the  rejoicing  of  my  heart. 


PSALM   CXIX.  44I 

112.  I  have  inclined  my  heart  to  perform  thy  statutes 
For  ever,  even  unto  the  end. 

SAMEKH. 

113.  I  hate  them  that  are  of  a  double  mind; 
But  thy  law  do  I  love. 

114.  Thou  art  my  hiding-place  and  my  shield: 
I  hope  in  thy  word. 

115.  Depart  from  me,  ye  evil-doers, 

That  I  may  keep  the  commandments  of  my  God. 

116.  Uphold  me  according  unto  thy  word,  that  I  may  live; 
And  let  me  not  be  ashamed  of  my  hope. 

117.  Hold  thou  me  up,  and  I  shall  be  safe, 

And  shall  have  respect  unto  thy  statutes  continually. 

118.  Thou  hast  set  at  nought  all  them  that  err  from  thy 

statutes; 
For  their  deceit  is  falsehood. 

119.  Thou  puttest  away  all  the  wicked  of  the  earth  like 

dross: 
Therefore  I  love  thy  testimonies. 

120.  My  flesh  trembleth  for  fear  of  thee; 
And  I  am  afraid  of  thy  judgments. 

AYIN. 

121.  I  have  done  justice  and  righteousness: 
Leave  me  not  to  mine  oppressors. 

122.  Be  surety  for  thy  servant  for  good: 
Let  not  the  proud  oppress  me. 

123.  Mine  eyes  fail  for  thy  salvation, 
And  for  thy  righteous  word. 

124.  Deal  with  thy  servant  according  unto  thy  lovingkind- 

ness, 
And  teach  me  thy  statutes. 

125.  I  am  thy  servant;  give  me  understanding, 
That  I  may  know  thy  testimonies. 

126.  It  is  time  for  Jehovah  to  work; 
For  they  have  made  void  thy  law. 

127.  Therefore  I  love  thy  commandments 
Above  gold,  yea,  above  fine  gold. 


442  PSALM   CXIX. 

128.     Therefore  I  esteem  all  thy  precepts   concerning  all 
things  to  be  right; 
And  I  hate  every  false  way. 


129 
130 

131 
132 

*33 
134 

135 
136 


PE. 

Thy  testimonies  are  wonderful; 

Therefore  doth  my  soul  keep  them. 

The  opening  of  thy  words  giveth  light; 

It  giveth  understanding  unto  the  simple. 

I  opened  wide  my  mouth,  and  panted; 

For  I  longed  for  thy  commandments. 

Turn  thee  unto  me,  and  have  mercy  upon  me, 

As  thou  usest  to  do  unto  those  that  love  thy  name. 

Establish  my  footsteps  in  thy  word; 

And  let  not  any  iniquity  have  dominion  over  me. 

Redeem  me  from  the  oppression  of  man: 

So  will  I  observe  thy  precepts. 

Make  thy  face  to  shine  upon  thy  servant; 

And  teach  me  thy  statutes. 

Streams  of  water  run  down  mine  eyes, 

Because  they  observe  not  thy  law. 

TSADHE. 


137.  Righteous  art  thou,  O  Jehovah, 
And  upright  are  thy  judgments. 

138.  Thou  hast  commanded  thy  testimonies  in  righteous- 

ness 
And  very  faithfulness. 

139.  My  zeal  hath  consumed  me, 

Because  mine  adversaries  have  forgotten  thy  words. 

140.  Thy  word  is  very  pure; 
Therefore  thy  servant  loveth  it. 

141.  I  am  small  and  despised; 

Yet  do  I  not  forget  thy  precepts. 

142.  Thy  righteousness  is  an  everlasting  righteousness, 
And  thy  law  is  truth. 

143.  Trouble  and  anguish  have  taken  hold  on  me; 
Yet  thy  commandments  are  my  delight. 

144.  Thy  testimonies  are  righteous  for  ever: 
Give  me  understanding  and  I  shall  live. 


PSALM   CXIX. 


443 


QOPH. 

145.  I  have  called  with  my  whole  heart;  answer  me,  O 

Jehovah: 
I  will  keep  thy  statutes. 

146.  I  have  called  unto  thee;  save  me, 
And  I  shall  observe  thy  testimonies. 

147.  I  anticipated  the  dawning  of  the  morning,  and  cried: 
I  hoped  in  thy  words. 

148.  Mine  eyes  anticipated  the  night-watches, 
That  I  might  meditate  on  thy  word. 

149.  Hear  my  voice  according  unto  thy  lovingkindness : 
Quicken  me,  O  Jehovah,  according  to  thine  ordinances. 

150.  They  draw  nigh  that  follow  after  wickedness; 
They  are  far  from  thy  law. 

151.  Thou  art  nigh,  O  Jehovah; 

And  all  thy  commandments  are  truth. 

152.  Of  old  have  I  known  from  thy  testimonies, 
That  thou  hast  founded  them  for  ever. 

RESH. 

153.  Consider  mine  affliction,  and  deliver  me; 
For  I  do  not  forget  thy  law. 

154.  Plead  thou  my  cause,  and  redeem  me: 
Quicken  me  according  to  thy  word. 

155.  Salvation  is  far  from  the  wicked; 
For  they  seek  not  thy  statutes. 

156.  Great  are  thy  tender  mercies,  O  Jehovah: 
Quicken  me  according  to  thine  ordinances. 

157.  Many  are  my  persecutors  and  mine  adversaries; 
Yet  have  I  not  swerved  from  thy  testimonies. 

158.  I  beheld  the  treacherous  and  was  grieved, 
Because  they  observe  not  thy  word. 

159.  Consider  how  I  love  thy  precepts: 

Quicken  me,  O  Jehovah,  according  to  thy  loving- 
kindness. 

160.  The  sum  of  thy  word  is  truth; 

And  every  one  of  thy  righteous  ordinances  endureth 
for  ever. 


444  PSALM  CXIX. 

SHIN. 

161.  Princes  have  persecuted  me  without  a  cause; 
But  my  heart  standeth  in  awe  of  thy  words. 

162.  I  rejoice  at  thy  word, 

As  one  that  findeth  great  spoil. 

163.  I  hate  and  abhor  falsehood; 
But  thy  law  do  I  love. 

164.  Seven  times  a  day  do  I  praise  thee, 
Because  of  thy  righteous  ordinances. 

165.  Great  peace  have  they  that  love  thy  law; 
And  they  have  no  occasion  of  stumbling. 

166.  I  have  hoped  for  thy  salvation,  O  Jehovah, 
And  have  done  thy  commandments. 

167.  My  soul  hath  observed  thy  testimonies; 
And  I   love   them  exceedingly. 

168.  I  have  observed  thy  precepts  and  thy  testimonies; 
For  all  my  ways  are  before  thee. 

TAV. 

169.  Let  my  cry  come  near  before  thee,  O  Jehovah: 
Give  me  understanding  according  to  thy  word. 

170.  Let  my  supplication  come  before  thee: 
Deliver  me  according  to  thy  word. 

171.  Let  my  lips  utter  praise; 

For  thou  teachest  me  thy  statutes. 

172.  Let  my  tongue  sing  of  thy  word; 

For  all  thy  commandments  are  righteousness. 

173.  Let  thy  hand  be  ready  to  help  me; 
For  I  have  chosen  thy  precepts. 

174.  I  have  longed  for  thy  salvation,  O  Jehovah; 
And  thy  law  is  my  delight. 

175.  Let  my  soul  live,  and  it  shall  praise  thee; 
And  let  thine  ordinances  help  me. 

176.  I  have  gone  astray  like  a  lost  sheep;  seek  thy  servant; 
For  I  do  not  forget  thy  commandments. 


psalm  cxix.  445 


Psalm  CXIX. 


I.     An  upright  (perfect)  man  is  one  who  is  true  from  good, 

or  who  speaks  and  does  truth  from  charity.  A.  612. 

See  Psalm  xxv.  21.  A.  9905. 

1-7.       See  Psalm  xix.  8-10.  E.  392. 

1-27.     See  Psalm  xix.  8-10.  A.  3382. 

1-176.  The  Lord  fulfilled  the  law,  or  the  Word,  from  its 
firsts  to  its  lasts,  and  therefore  He  was  hated  and  suffered 
temptations,  and  thus  made  the  Human  one  with  His 
Divine.  P.  P. 

1,  2-23,  24,  59,  79,  88,  138,  167.     See  Psalm  xix.  8. 

A.  4197. 

2,  14,  31,  46,  59,  88,  91,  in,  119,  129,  138,  144,  168. 
See  Psalm  xix.  8-10.  A.  9503. 

6-17.     Word  here  stands  for  doctrine  in  general.     It  is 
clear  that  commandments,  judgments,  testimonies,  pre- 
cepts, statutes,  way,  and  lips  here  are  distinct,  and  that 
they  all  are  things  of  the  Word,  or  of  doctrine,  and  every- 
where else  in  the  Word  they  signify  things  which  are  dis- 
tinct. A.  1288. 
7,  164.     See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  S.  85. 
See  Psalm  xxxvii.  6.                                       W.  38. 
See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.                                       R.  668. 
See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.                                        T.  51. 
There  is  no  contradiction  in  acting  omnipotently,  ac- 
cording to  the  laws  of  love  from  wisdom,  but  there  is  a 
contradiction  in  God's  being  able  to  act  contrary  to  the 
laws  of  justice  and  love,  this  would  be  to  act  from  what 
is  not  judgment  and  wisdom.                              Ind.  viii. 
12.     See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.                                            A.  1096. 
See  Psalm  lxviii.  27.                                           A.  1422. 
See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.                                              R.  289. 
12-15,  88,  89,  151-156.     See  Psalm  xix.  8-10.        E.  392. 
!6,  23,  65,  124,  125,  135,  176.     See  Psalm  xxvii.  9. 

E.  409. 


446  PSALM  CXIX. 

25.  See  Psalm  xliv.  26.  Add:  dust  in  the  Word  also 
signifies  the  grave,  likewise  what  is  lowly,  and  what  is 
numerous.  A.  7418. 

26,  27,  29,  30,  32,  35.  Here  the  way  of  the  commandments 
and  precepts  is  called  the  way  of  truth  —  opposite  to 
which  is  the  way  of  falsehood.  A.  627. 

36.  By  unjust  gain  (covetousness)  in  general  is  signified 
every  falsity  from  evil  wThich  perverts  the  judgments  of 
the  mind.  Since  this  is  the  case  with  those  who  have  the 
world  as  their  end,  therefore  by  those  who  hate  unjust 
gain  are  also  signified  they  who  are  without  a  worldly  end. 

A.  8711. 

37,  38.     See  Psalm  xii.  3.  A.  9248. 
70.           See  Psalm  xvii.  10.  R.  782. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  10.  E.  11 59. 

89,  90,  91.     To-day  manifestly  stands  for  eternity.  A.  2838. 
100.     The  elders  stand  for  him  that  is  wise.        A.  6524. 

102,  103.  See  Psalm  xix.  9,  10.  Add:  Here  the  mouth 
stands  for  the  external,  the  same  as  where  it  is  said  in 
Revelation  that  the  little  book  was  sweet  as  honey  in  the 
mouth.  E.  619. 

103.  See  Psalm  xix.  9,  10.  A.  5620. 

104,  105.     See  Psalm  xviii.  29.  A.  9548. 

105.  The  Word  is  said  to  be  a  lamp,  because  it  is  the  Di- 
vine truth.  E.  274. 

118.  See  Psalm  v.  7.  R.  624. 

See  Psalm  xvii.  1.  E.  866. 

134.     To  deliver  from  the  oppression  of  man  signifies  to 
liberate  from  the  falsities  of  evil,  for  man  signifies  the 
spiritual  affection  for  truth,  and  thence  wisdom,  and  in 
an  opposite  sense,  as  here,  the  lust  of  what  is  false,  and 
thence  insanity,  the  oppression  thereof  signifies  the  de- 
struction of  truth  by  falsities.  E.  328. 
134,  135-     See  Psalm  xxxi.  16,  17.                           A.  5585. 
See  Psalm  lxvii.  2.                                   A.  9306. 
149.     Judgment  and  judgments  stand  for  Divine  truth. 

A.  9857. 


PSALM   CXX. 


447 


154.     Pleading  my  cause  means  liberating  from  falsities. 

A.  9024. 

158.     See  Psalm  lxxviii.  57.  A.  8999. 

164.  The  number  seven  was  held  to  be  holy,  on  account 
of  the  six  days  of  creation,  and  the  seventh  day,  which  is 
the  celestial  man,  in  whom  is  peace  and  rest  —  the  sab- 
bath.    The  number  seven  is  held  to  be  holy  and  sacred. 

Seven  signifies  an  entire  period  from  beginning  to  end, 
thus  what  is  full.  A.  9228. 

Seven  times  a  day  stands  for  always,  at  all  times,  always 
with  numbering.  E.  257. 

164,  172.  It  is  especially  said  of  the  Lord  that  He  does 
judgment  and  justice,  when  He  creates  man  anew. 

A.  2235. 

Since  justice  is  of  good,  and  judgment  is  of  truth  it  is 

also  expressed  by  justice  and  truth.  A.  9263. 

165,  166.     See  Psalm  iv.  7-9.  R.  306. 
Peace  stands  for  blessedness,  heavenly  felicity  and  de- 
light, which  can  only  exist  with  those  who  love  to  do  the 
Lord's  commandments.  E.  365. 


PSALM  CXX. 

A  Song  of  Ascents. 

1.  In  my  distress  I  cried  unto  Jehovah, 
And  he  answered  me. 

2.  Deliver  my  soul,  O  Jehovah,  from  lying  lips, 
And  from  a  deceitful  tongue. 

3.  What  shall  be  given  unto  thee,  and  what  shall  be  done 

more  unto  thee, 
Thou  deceitful  tongue? 

4.  Sharp  arrows  of  the  mighty, 
With  coals  of  juniper. 

5.  Woe  is  me,  that  I  sojourn  in  Meshech, 
That  I  dwell  among  the  tents  of  Kedar! 


448  PSALM   CXX. 

6.  My  soul  hath  long  had  her  dwelling 
With  him  that  hateth  peace. 

7.  I  am  for  peace: 

But  when  I  speak,  they  are  for  war. 


Psalm  CXX. 

1.  See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 
See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  •  E.  326. 
We  often  read  in  the  Word  that  the  Lord  answers  those 

who  call  and  cry.  R.  376. 

See  Psalm  iv.  2.  E.  471. 

1-7.     To  the  Father,  against  those  in  the  perverted  church, 

who  secretly  try  to  destroy  Him.  P.  P. 

2.  Guile  in  the  word  means  hypocrisy.  A.  9013. 

R.  624. 
T.  322. 
E.  866. 

Add:  the  lip  of  a  lie  and  tongue  of 
guile  stand  for  falses  of  evil,  and  the  dispersion  of  truth 
thereby  is  signified  by  a  sharp  sword,  and  sharp  arrows. 
See  also  Ezekiel  v.  1.  E.  908. 

3.  To  add  is  also  a  prophetic  word  signifying  to  destroy. 

R-  957- 

5.  They  who  are  not  in  truth  because  not  in  good  are  those 
represented  by  Arabians  and  Kedars  in  the  desert. 

A.  3268. 

By  Arabia  is  signified  the  church  which  is  in  truths 

originating  in  good  —  see  Jeremiah  xlix.  29  —  treating  of 

the  vastation  of  Arabia.     Similar  things  are  signified  by 

the  tents  of  Arabia  here.  E.  799. 

6,  7.     See  Psalm  iv.  7-9.  R.  306. 

See  Psalm  xxxviii.  4.  F.  365. 


2,3. 

See  Psalm  v.  7. 

See  Psalm  v.  7. 

See  Psalm  v.  7. 

2,4. 

See  Psalm  lvii  5 

psalm  cxxi.  449 


PSALM  CXXI. 

A  Song  of  Ascents. 

i.    I  will  lift  up  mine  eyes  unto  the  mountains: 
From  whence  shall  my  help  come  ? 

2.  My  help  cometh  from  Jehovah, 
Who  made  heaven  and  earth. 

3.  He  will  not  suffer  thy  foot  to  be  moved: 
He  that  keepeth  thee  will  not  slumber. 

4.  Behold,  he  that  keepeth  Israel 
Will  neither  slumber  nor  sleep. 

5.  Jehovah  is  thy  keeper: 

Jehovah  is  thy  shade  upon  thy  right  hand. 

6.  The  sun  shall  not  smite  thee  by  day, 
Nor  the  moon  by  night. 

7.  Jehovah  will  keep  thee  from  all  evil; 
He  will  keep  thy  soul. 

8.  Jehovah  will  keep  thy  going  out  and  thy  coming  in 
From  this  time  forth  and  for  evermore. 

CXXI. 

I.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7.  R,  336. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

By  mountains  are  here  understood  the  heavens.     Since 

in  the  heavens  they  who  are  in  the  goods  of  love  and 

charity  dwell  upon  mountains  and  hills,  and  the  Lord  is 

in  these  goods,  therefore  by  lifting  up  the  eyes  to  the 

mountains  is  also  understood  lifting  them  to  the  Lord, 

from  whom  is  all  help.  E.  405. 

1-8.     (Prayer)  to  the  Father  to  keep  (Him).  P.  P. 

3.     The  spiritual  sense  is,  He  will  not  suffer  the  natural  to 

wander  away  from  truths,  for  in  proportion  as  the  natural 

strays,  the  interiors  which  are  of  the  understanding  and 

will  stray  also.  E.  666. 


450  PSALM   CXXI. 

3-6.  The  watchers  used  to  be  upon  the  walls  observing 
whether  an  enemy  approached,  and  by  a  cry  announcing 
what  they  saw.  By  them  in  the  internal  representative 
sense  is  meant  the  Lord,  and  by  watch  His  continual 
presence  and  protection.  A.  821 1. 

5,  6.  To  be  a  shade  on  the  right  hand  is  to  be  a  defence 
against  evil  and  falsity.  Shade  stands  here  for  a  shady 
place  to  preserve  from  hurt,  and  the  right  hand  for  power 
and  wisdom  from  Divine  truth,  which  would  be  hurt  by 
evil  and  falsity  unless  the  Lord  defended.  By  the  sun 
is  signified  the  love  of  self  and  thence  all  evil,  and  by  the 
moon  the  falsity  of  evil.  E.  298. 

6,  By  the  sun  is  here  understood  the  love  of  self,  and  by 
the  moon  the  false  thence  derived.  Since  all  evil  is  from 
that  love,  and  from  evil  what  is  false,  therefore  it  is  said 
—  see  verse  7.  E.  401. 

7,  8.  To  keep  the  exit  and  the  entrance  means  everything 
of  the  life  according  to  a  state  of  good  and  of  truth. 

A.  9927. 


PSALM  CXXII. 

A  Song  of  Ascents;  of  David. 


1.  I  was  glad  when  they  said  unto  me, 
Let  us  go  unto  the  house  of  Jehovah. 

2.  Our  feet  are  standing 
Within  thy  gates,  O  Jerusalem, 

3.  Jerusalem,  that  art  builded 

As  a  city  that  is  compact  together; 

4.  Whither  the  tribes  go  up,  even  the  tribes  of  Jehovah, 
For  an  ordinance  for  Israel, 

To  give  thanks  unto  the  name  of  Jehovah. 

5.  For  there  are  set  thrones  for  judgment, 
The  thrones  of  the  house  of  David. 

6.  Pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem: 
They  shall  prosper  that  love  thee. 


PSALM   CXXII.  45I 

7.  Peace  be  within  thy  walls, 

And  prosperity  within  thy  palaces. 

8.  For  my  brethren  and  companions'  sakes, 
I  will  now  say,  Peace  be  within  thee. 

9.  For  the  sake  of  the  house  of  Jehovah  our  God 
I  will  seek  thy  good. 


Psalm  CXXII. 

1,  See  Psalm  xvm.  1.  R.  279. 
See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1-7.     By  Jerusalem  is  here  meant  the  church  which  was  to 

be  established,  and  which  also  was  established  by  the 

Lord,  and  not  the  Jerusalem  inhabited  by  the  Jews  in 

the  land  of  Canaan.  L.  64. 

The  foregoing  statement  repeated  in:  R.  880. 

The  foregoing  statement  repeated  in:  B.  100. 

The  foregoing  statement  repeated  in:  T.  782. 

1-9.     Joy  of  the  Lord  over  the  new  church  where  he  reigns. 

P.  P. 
Verses  partly  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  33. 

2,  3.     See  Psalm  ix.  15.  R.  899. 

3,  4.     Tribes  signify  goods  of  love  and  truths  of  faith. 

A.  3858. 

See  Psalm  xix.  8.  A.  4197. 

By  Jerusalem  is  signified  the  church  as  to  doctrine, 
which  is  said  to  be  "  builded  as  a  city  that  is  compact  to- 
gether, "  when  all  the  doctrines  thereof  are  in  agreement 
and  unanimous,  and  when  they  mutually  relate  to  the 
Lord  and  love  to  Him  derived  from  Him  as  their  begin- 
ning and  end.  It  is  said  to  be  built  as  a  city  because  a 
city  signifies  doctrine.  The  truths  of  doctrine  which 
relate  to  the  Lord  are  signified  by  the  tribes  of  Jah,  truths 
derived  from  good,  which  are  from  the  Lord.  Worship 
thence  derived  is  signified  by  confessing  or  giving  thanks 
to  the  name  of  Jehovah.  E.  431. 


452  PSALM   CXXII. 

3-5.     A  throne  here  signifies  judgment.  R.  229. 

The  Lord  will  not  judge  any  one  to  hell,  but  He  will 

cause  the  Word  to  judge  every  one,  the  Lord  directing 

in  order  that  all  things  may  be  done  according  to  justice. 

R-  233- 
The  twelve  tribes  of  Israel  represented,   and    thence 
signified,  all  truth  and  good  in  their  whole  compass,  thus 
all  things  of  faith  and  love.  E.  39. 

By  Jerusalem  is  signified  the  church  as  to  doctrine, 
which  is  said  to  be  built  when  it  is  established  by  the 
Lord.  A  city  compact  together  signifies  doctrines  in 
which  all  things  are  in  order.  The  tribes  go  up,  the 
tribes  of  the  Lord  signifies  that  therein  are  all  truths  and 
goods  in  the  aggregate.  Unto  the  testimony  of  Israel.  .  .  . 
that  therein  the  Lord  is  confessed  and  acknowledged. 
See  also  E.  253,  under  verses  3,  5.  E.  392. 

3,  5.  By  throne  is  signified  heaven.  Jerusalem  is  called 
the  throne  of  Jehovah,  for  by  Jerusalem  is  signified  the 
church  as  to  doctrine,  and  doctrine  is  Divine  truth.  E.  253. 

4,  5.     See  Psalm  xlv.  2-18.  L.  44. 

5,  The  spiritual  kingdom  of  the  Lord  is  where  Divine 
truth  in  which  is  good  is  the  principal,  and  the  celestial 
kingdom  is  where  the  principal  is  Divine  good  from  which 
is  Divine  truth.  Hence  it  is  plain  why  Jerusalem  is  called 
the  throne  of  Jehovah,  Jerusalem  standing  for  the  Lord's 
spiritual  kingdom.  A.  5313. 

6-9.     See  Psalm  iv.  7-9.  R.  306. 

By  Jerusalem  is  understood  the  church  as  to  doctrine 
and  worship,  by  peace  everything  pertaining  to  both. 
When  these  are  of  celestial  origin,  that  is  out  of  heaven 
from  the  Lord,  then  they  are  from  peace  and  in  peace, 
whence  it  appears  what  is  understood  by,  "pray  for  the 
peace  of  Jerusalem."  They  who  are  in  that  peace  are 
called  the  people  of  rest,  therefore  it  is  said,  "  they  shall 
prosper  that  love  thee,"  namely,  that  love  the  doctrine 
and  worship  of  the  church.     Verse  7  signifies  in  the  ex- 


PSALM  cxxiii.  453 

terior  and  interior  man,  for  the  exterior  man  with  the 
things  which  are  in  him,  which  are  natural  scientifics 
and  delights,  is  like  a  wall  or  fortification  to  the  interior 
man,  being  without  or  before  the  interior  man  and  protects 
him.  The  interior  man  with  the  things  in  him,  which 
are  truths  and  spiritual  goods,  is  a  palace  or  house,  since 
it  is  within  the  exterior.  Verse  8  signifies  for  the  sake  of 
those  who  are  in  goods  and  thence  in  truths,  and  in  the 
abstract  goods  and  truths  themselves.  E.  365. 

8.  All  the  sons  of  Israel  because  they  represented  the 
Lord's  heavenly  kingdom,  that  is  the  kingdom  of  love 
and  charity,  were  called  among  themselves  brethren  and 
also  companions,  companions  not  from  the  good  of  love, 
but  from  the  truth  of  faith.  A.  2360. 

By  a  brother  in  the  spiritual  sense  is  meant  one  who 
is  in  the  good  of  charity,  and  by  a  companion  one  who 
is  thence  in  the  truths  of  faith.  R.  32. 

See  Psalm  xxii.  23.  E.  746. 


PSALM  CXXIII. 

A  Song  of  Ascents. 


1.  Unto  thee  do  I  lift  up  mine  eyes, 
O  thou  that  sittest  in  the  heavens. 

2.  Behold,  as  the  eyes  of  servants  look  unto  the  hand  of 

their  master, 
As  the  eyes  of  a  maid  unto  the  hands  of  her  mistress; 
So  our  eyes  look  unto  Jehovah  our  God, 
Until  he  have  mercy  upon  us. 

3.  Have  mercy  upon  us,  O  Jehovah,  have  mercy  upon  us; 
For  we  are  exceedingly  filled  with  contempt. 

4.  Our  soul  is  exceedingly  filled 

With  the  scoffing  of  those  that  are  at  ease, 
And  with  the  contempt  of  the  proud. 


454  PSALM  CXXIII. 


Psalm   CXXIII. 

I.     See  Psalm  xviii.  i.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1-4.     (Prayer)  to  the  Father  to  be  present,  because  He  has 

been  utterly  rejected  by  the  Jewish  nation.  P.  P. 


PSALM  CXXIV. 

A  Song  of  Ascents;  of  David. 

i.     If  it  had  not  been  Jehovah  who  was  on  our  side, 
Let  Israel  now  say, 

2.  If  it  had  not  been  Jehovah  who  was  on  our  side, 
When  men  rose  up  against  us; 

3.  Then  they  had  swallowed  us  up  alive, 
When  their  wrath  was  kindled  against  us: 

4.  Then  the  waters  had  overwhelmed  us, 
The  stream  had  gone  over  our  soul; 

5.  Then  the  proud  waters  had  gone  over  our  soul. 

6.  Blessed  be  Jehovah, 

Who  hath  not  given  us  as  a  prey  to  their  teeth. 

7.  Our  soul  is  escaped  as  a  bird  out  of  the  snare  of  the 

fowlers : 
The  snare  is  broken,  and  we  are  escaped. 

8.  Our  help  is  in  the  name  of  Jehovah, 
Who  made  heaven  and  earth. 

Psalm   CXXIV. 

1.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

1.  See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 
1-5.     To  the  Father  that  He  may  be  preserved  in  tempta- 
tions, P.  P. 

2,  4,  5.     Rivers  in  the  opposite  sense  falsities  in  abundance. 

R.  409. 
By  the  proud  waters  here  mentioned  are  understood 


psalm  cxxiv.  455 

falsities  favoring  the  love  of  self  and  confirming  it,  also 
the  falsities  of  doctrine  which  are  from  self-derived  in- 
telligence. River  —  reasonings  from  them  against  truths. 
By  verses  4  and  5  is  signified  the  destruction  of  spiritual 
life.  E.  518. 

4-6.  A  prey  to  their  teeth,  that  is  to  the  hells  which  by 
falsities  destroy  truths.  E.  556. 

6.    See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  A.  1096. 

See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  R.  289. 

See  Psalm  xxxv.  15,  16.  R.  435. 

6-8.     from  the  deceitful  and  hypocrites.  P.  P. 


PSALM  CXXV. 

A  Song  of  Ascents. 


i.     They  that  trust  in  Jehovah 

Are  as  Mount  Zion,  which  cannot  be  moved,  but  abideth 
for  ever. 

2.  As  the  mountains  are  round  about  Jerusalem, 
So  Jehovah  is  round  about  his  people 

From  this  time  forth  and  for  evermore. 

3.  For  the  sceptre  of  wickedness  shall  not  rest  upon  the  lot 

of  the  righteous; 
That  the   righteous   put  not  forth  their  hands   unto 
iniquity. 

4.  Do  good,  O  Jehovah,  unto  those  that  are  good, 
And  to  them  that  are  upright  in  their  hearts. 

5.  But  as  for  such  as  turn  aside  unto  their  crooked  ways, 
Jehovah  will  lead  them  forth  with  the  workers  of  iniquity. 
Peace  be  upon  Israel. 


456  PSALM   CXXV. 


Psalm  CXXV. 

I.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  R.  612. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

Mount  Zion  signifies  the  Divine  good  and  the  church 

as  to  that  good.  E.  405. 

1-5.     From  the  Lord  the  new  church  is  kept  from  falsities 

of  evil.  P.  P. 

3.     See  Psalm  ii.  9.  A.  4876. 

See  Psalm  xxiii.  4,  5.  R.  485. 

The  staff  of  impiety  signifies  the  power  of  the  false 

from  evil,  upon  the  lot  of  the  just  signifies  over  truths 

from  good  which  are  with  the  faithful,  and  especially 

with  those  who  are  in  love  to  the  Lord,  for  these  in  the 

Word  are  called  the  just.     Let  the  just  put  forth  their 

hands  to  perversities  signifies  lest  they  falsify  truths. 

E.  727. 


PSALM  CXXVI. 

A  Song  of  Ascents. 

i.     When  Jehovah  brought  back  those  that  returned  to 
Zion, 
We  were  like  unto  them  that  dream. 

2.  Then  was  our  mouth  filled  with  laughter, 
And  our  tongue  with  singing: 

Then  said  they  among  the  nations, 
Jehovah  hath  done  great  things  for  them. 

3.  Jehovah  hath  done  great  things  for  us, 
Whereof  we  are  glad. 

4.  Turn  again  our  captivity,  O  Jehovah, 
As  the  streams  in  the  South. 

5.  They  that  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in  joy. 

6.  He   that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth,   bearing  seed   for 

sowing, 
Shall  doubtless  come  again  with  joy,  bringing  his  sheaves 
with  him. 


PSALM   CXXV- 


Psalm  CXXVI. 


457 


i.    See  Psalm  xviii,  i.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  R.  612. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

See  Psalm  xlviii.  3,  4.  E.  850. 

1-4.     Joy  of  the  nations  with  whom  a  new  church  will 

arise.  P.  P. 

5.    It  will  be  instructed.  P.  P. 

5,  6.  This  is  said  of  those  who  have  been  in  spiritual 
captivity  and  are  liberated.  To  hear  the  measure  of 
seed  stands  for  instruction  in  truths,  to  come  again  with 
singing,  for  the  gladness  of  affection  for  truth,  and  to 
bring  the  sheaves,  for  the  doctrinals  of  that  truth.    A.  4686. 

Where  tears  are  mentioned  in  the  Word  weeping  is 
mentioned  also.  This  is  on  account  of  the  marriage  of 
good  and  truth  in  every  part  of  the  Word.  In  the  act 
both  of  weeping  and  of  shedding  tears  water  comes  forth, 
but  bitter  and  astringent.  This  is  occasioned  by  influx 
from  the  spiritual  world  into  the  grief  of  man,  where 
bitter  waters  correspond  to  the  defect  of  truth  because  of 
falsities,  and  to  grief  on  that  account.  Grief  on  account 
of  falsities  takes  place  with  those  who  are  in  truths.    E.  484. 

6.  The  series  in  which  truths  are  arranged  with  the  good, 
and  in  which  falses  are  arranged  with  the  evil  are  signified 
in  the  word  by  sheaves  and  bundles.  A.  10303. 


458  PSALM   CXXVII. 


PSALM  CXXVII. 

A  Song  of  Ascents;  of  Solomon. 

i.     Except  Jehovah  build  the  house, 
They  labor  in  vain  that  build  it: 
Except  Jehovah  keep  the  city, 
The  watchman  waketh  but  in  vain. 

2.  It  is  vain  for  you  to  rise  up  early, 
To  take  rest  late, 

To  eat  the  bread  of  toil; 

For  so  he  giveth  unto  his  beloved  sleep. 

3.  Lo,  children  are  a  heritage  of  Jehovah; 
And  the  fruit  of  the  womb  is  his  reward. 

4.  As  arrows  in  the  hand  of  a  mighty  man, 
So  are  the  children  of  youth. 

5.  Happy  is  the  man  thai  hath  his  quiver  full  of  them: 
They  shall  not  be  put  to  shame, 

When  they  speak  with  their  enemies  in  the  gate. 

Psalm  CXXVII. 

1.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326, 

1,  2.     All  things  of  the  church  are  from  the  Lord,  and 

nothing  from  man.  P.  P. 

3.     Treating  of  the  regenerated.     They  are  said  to  be  heirs, 

sons  of  the  kingdom,  and  born  of  the  Lord  as  a  Father. 

R.  20. 
By  the  belly  (womb)  are  signified  the  interiors  of  the 
thought,  or  of  the  understanding,  therefore  by  the  fruit 
of  the  womb  in  the  spiritual  sense  are  signified  the  goods 
of  the  understanding,  and  by  sons  its  truths.  E.  622. 
By  sons  are  understood  those  who  are  in  truths  from 
good,  and  by  the  fruit  of  the  belly  who  are  in  good  by 
truths,  who  have  heaven,  which  is  the  heritage  and  re- 
ward. E.  710. 


PSALM  cxxvu.  459 

3,  4.     By  reward  is  signified  the  felicity  of  those  who  are  in 

heaven.  E.  695. 

He  who  is  in  truths  from  the  Lord  remains  safe.     P.  P. 

3-5.    To  speak  with  their  enemies  in  the  gate,  means  to 

have  no  fear  of  evils  and  falsities,  and  thus  not  of  hell. 

A.  2851. 
Here  as  elsewhere  children  signify  the  truths  of  doc- 
trine. R.  299. 
In  spiritual  marriage  masculine  offspring  is  truth 
and  good  in  the  understanding  and  thence  in  the  thought, 
and  feminine  offspring  is  truth  and  good  in  the  will,  and 
thence  in  the  affection.  Therefore  truth  is  signified  in 
in  the  Word  by  a  son.  R.  543. 
By  the  children  who  are  the  inheritance  of  Jehovah, 
are  signified  truths,  whence  intelligence  is  derived,  by 
the  fruit  of  the  womb  goods  whence  is  felicity.  By  verse 
4  are  signified  the  truths  of  the  good  of  innocence,  be- 
cause no  evil  nor  falsity  can  resist  those  truths,  therefore 
they  are  as  arrows  in  the  hand  of  a  mighty  man.  The 
good  of  innocence  is  the  good  of  love  to  the  Lord,  because 
those  truths  have  such  power,  it  is  said — see  verse  5. 

E-  357- 
By  verse  3  are  understood  the  truths  and  goods  of  the 
church,  sons  truth,  the  fruit  of  the  womb  goods,  for  both 
these  are  rewards  and  the  heritage  of  Jehovah,  that  is 
heaven,  which  is  from  the  reception  of  truths  and  goods. 
By  verse  4  are  understood  the  truths  of  the  ancient  church, 
which  were  natural  truths  from  spiritual  origin,  this 
church  is  understood  by  youth.  Since  all  power  is  in 
these  truths  against  evils  and  falses  therefore  it  is  said  as 
arrows,  which  stand  for  truths  destroying  falses.  Doc- 
trine from  truths  is  signified  by  the  quiver  the  same  as  by 
the  bow.  They  who  are  in  doctrine  from  those  truths 
fear  nothing  from  falses,  therefore  it  is  said  —  see  verse 
5.  Not  to  be  ashamed  means  not  to  be  conquered. 
Enemies  in  the  gate  stand  for  the  falses  of  evil  which  are 
from  hell.  E.  724. 


460  PSALM   CXXVII. 

4.     Quiver  stands  for  the  doctrine  of  good  and  truth. 

A.  2709. 
See  Psalm  lxix.  13.  A.  10483. 


PSALM  CXXVIII. 

A  Song  of  Ascents. 

i.     Blessed  is  every  one  that  feareth  Jehovah, 
That  walketh  in  his  ways. 

2.  For  thou  shalt  eat  the  labor  of  thy  hands: 
Happy  shalt  thou  be,  and  it  shall  be  well  with  thee. 

3.  Thy  wife  shall  be  as  a  fruitful  vine, 
In  the  innermost  parts  of  thy  house; 
Thy  children  like  olive  plants, 
Round  about  thy  table. 

4.  Behold,  thus  shall  the  man  be  blessed 
That  feareth  Jehovah. 

5.  Jehovah  bless  thee  out  of  Zion: 

And  see  thou  the  good  of  Jerusalem  all  the  days  of  thy 
life. 

6.  Yea,  see  thou  thy  children's  children. 
Peace  be  upon  Israel. 

Psalm  CXXVIII. 

1.     See  Psalm  xxv.  12.     Add:  a  way  is  truth.        A.  2826. 

See  Psalm  xviiii.  1.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

See  Psalm  xxii.  24.  R.  527. 

To  fear  Jehovah  here  also  stands  for  thinking  rever- 
ently and  with  sanctity  concerning  God,  and  to  walk  in 
His  ways  for  living  according  to  Divine  truths,  worship 
is  performed  by  both,  but  in  external  worship,  which  is 
living  according  to  Divine  truths,  there  must  be  internal 
worship  which  is  to  fear  Jehovah.  E.  696. 


PSALM  CXXVIII.  461 

I,  2.  By  eating  the  labour  of  his  hands  is  signified  the 
celestial  good  which  man  receives  by  a  life  according  to 
Divine  truths  from  the  Lord  and  as  it  were  acquires  to 
himself  by  Ms  own  labour  and  study.  E.  617. 

1-6.  The  blessings  here  spoken  of  are  not  to  be  understood 
naturally  but  spiritually.  By  fearing  Jehovah  are  under- 
stood those  who  love  to  do  His  precepts,  to  walk  in  His 
ways  signifies  to  do  His  precepts.  By  verse  2  is  under- 
stood the  study  of  life  of  such  a  one  according  to  those 
precepts,  by  the  wife  the  spiritual  affection  for  truth  in 
all  tilings  which  he  thinks  and  does.  Therefore  it  is  also 
said  "as  a  fruitful  vine,"  vine  signifying  the  spiritual 
church  from  the  affection  for  truth.  By  the  children  round 
about  his  table  are  understood  the  truths  of  good  thence 
derived,  a  table  standing  for  instruction.  Plants  sig- 
nify truths  and  olives  good.  By  Zion  is  signified  heaven 
whence  those  things  are,  and  by  Jerusalem  doctrine. 
Israel  stands  for  the  church,  peace  upon  Israel  for  all 
spiritual  good  in  general  and  in  particular.  E.  340. 

Happy  is  he  who  is  of  the  Lord's  church,  for  good  in 
abundance  is  there.  P.  P. 

3.  Wife  as  a  vine  stands  for  the  spiritual  church,  children 
for  the  truths  of  faith,  which  are  called  olive  plants,  be- 
cause from  the  good  of  charity.  A.  886. 

3,  4.  A  vine  stands  for  the  spiritual  church,  an  olive  for 
the  church  which  is  in  celestial  good,  therefore  the  vine 
and  the  olive  are  named  together.  A.  10261. 

In  the  natural  sense  a  wife  and  sons  the  delights  aris- 
ing from  marriage  and  prolification,  but  in  the  internal 
sense  by  a  wife  is  signified  the  affection  for  truth,  and 
by  sons  the  truths  themselves  springing  up  from  it,  for 
all  truth  in  which  is  life  is  born  from  the  affection  for 
truth.  That  affection  being  signified  by  a  wife,  she  is 
compared  to  a  vine,  the  church,  and  a  fruitful  vine,  the 
church  in  regard  to  the  affection  for  truth.  A  house 
signifies  the  spritual  mind,  and  its  sides  all  things  which 


462  PSALM   CXXVIII. 

4  are  in  the  natural  man,  sons  the  truths  which  are  born 
from  that  spiritual  affection.  They  are  compared  to 
olive  plants,  because  by  truths  are  produced  the  goods  of 
love  and  charity  which  are  olives.  Round  about  the  table 
signifies  the  delights  arising  from  spiritual  appropriation 
and  nourishment.  E.  638. 

5,  6.     See  Psalm  iv.  7-9.  R.  306. 

See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  R.  612. 

By  Zion  and  by  Jerusalem  is  signified  as  to  the  goods  of 

love  and  as  to  the  truths  of  doctrine.     Children's  children 

signify  truths  of  doctrine  and  the  multiplication  of  it  to 

eternity.     As  all  these  things  are  from  the  Lord,  and  by 

virtue  of  the  peace  which  is  from  Him,  therefore  the  verse 

concludes  with  peace  upon  Israel  —  that  is  those  with 

whom  the  church  is.  E.  365. 

See  Psalm  xlviii.  3,  4.  E.  850. 


PSALM  CXXIX. 

A  Song  of  Ascents. 

Many  a  time  have  they  afflicted  me  from  my  youth  up, 

Let  Israel  now  say, 

Many  a  time  have  they  afflicted  me  from  my  youth  up: 

Yet  they  have  not  prevailed  against  me. 

The  plowers  plowed  upon  my  back; 

They  made  long  their  furrows. 

Jehovah  is  righteous: 

He  hath  cut  asunder  the  cords  of  the  wicked. 

Let  them  be  put  to  shame  and  turned  backward, 

All  they  that  hate  Zion. 

Let  them  be  as  the  grass  upon  the  housetops, 

Which  withereth  before  it  groweth  up; 

Wherewith  the  reaper  filleth  not  his  hand, 

Nor  he  that  bindeth  sheaves,  his  bosom: 

Neither  do  they  that  go  by  say, 

The  blessing  of  Jehovah  be  upon  you; 

We  bless  you  in  the  name  of  Jehovah. 


PSALM   CXXIX.  463 


Psalm   CXXIX. 

1.     See  Psalm  xviii   1.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1-3.     From  the  beginning  they  have  done  exceeding  great 

evil  to  the  church,  P.  P. 

4-8,  but  after  a  vain  effort,  they  were  compelled  to  re- 
treat. P.  P. 

6.  See  Psalm  xxxvii.  2.  R.  401. 
See  Psalm  xxxvii.  2.  E.  507. 

7.  See  Psalm  cxxvi.  6.  A.  10303. 


PSALM  CXXX. 

A  Song  of  Ascents. 

1.  Out  of  the  depths  have  1  cried  unto  thee,  O  Jehovah. 

2.  Lord,  hear  my  voice: 

Let  thine  ears  be  attentive 

To  the  voice  of  my  supplications. 

3.  If  thou,  Jehovah,  shouldest  mark  iniquities, 
O  Lord,  who  could  stand? 

4.  But  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee, 
That  thou  mayest  be  feared. 

5.  I  wait  for  Jehovah,  my  soul  doth  wait, 
And  in  his  word  do  I  hope. 

6.  My  soul  waiteth  for  the  Lord 

More  than  watchmen  wait  for  the  morning; 
Yea,  more  than  watchmen  for  the  morning. 

7.  O  Israel,  hope  in  Jehovah; 

For  with  Jehovah  there  is  lovingkindness, 
And  with  him  is  plenteous  redemption. 

8.  And  he  will  redeem  Israel 
From  all  his  iniquities. 


464  PSALM   CXXX. 


Psalm  CXXX. 

1.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1-4.     Prayer  to  the  Lord  that  they  may  be  preserved.  P.  P. 

5-8.     See  Psalm  xlvi.  6.  R.  151. 

See  Psalm  xlvi.  6.  T.  764. 

See  Psalm  v.  4.  E.  179. 

The  coming  of  the  Lord  and  redemption  is  expected. 

P.  P. 
7,  8.     See  Psalm  xix.  15.  L.  34. 

See  Psalm  lxxviii.  35.  L.  34. 

See  Psalm  xxxi.  6.  L.  38. 

See  Psalm  xxxi.  6.  R.  281. 

See  Psalm  xix.  15.  R.  613. 

See  Psalm  xix.  15.  T.  83. 

See  Psalm  xxv.  22.  E.  328. 

Verses  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  87. 


PSALM  CXXXI. 

A  Song  of  Ascents;  of  David. 

i.     Jehovah,  my  heart  is  not  haughty,  nor  mine  eyes  lofty; 
Neither  do  I  exercise  myself  in  great  matters, 
Or  in  things  too  wonderful  for  me. 

2.  Surely  I  have  stilled  and  quieted  my  soul; 
Like  a  weaned  child  with  his  mother, 
Like  a  weaned  child  is  my  soul  within  me. 

3.  O  Israel,  hope  in  Jehovah 

From  this  time  forth  and  for  evermore. 


PSALM   CXXXI.  4O5 


Psalm  CXXXI. 

General  Subject.     Of  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

I.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1,  2.     He  operated  from  His  Human:  He  indeed  operated 

through  influx  from  the  Divine,  but  not  from  the  Divine 

alone.  P.  P. 

3.     Let  the  trust  of  the  church  be  in  Him.  P.  P. 


PSALM  CXXXII. 

A  Song  of  Ascents. 


Jehovah,  remember  for  David 

All  his  affliction; 

How  he  sware  unto  Jehovah, 

And  vowed  unto  the  Mighty  One  of  Jacob: 

Surely  I  will  not  come  into  the  tabernacle  of  my  house, 

Nor  go  up  into  my  bed; 

I  will  not  give  sleep  to  mine  eyes, 

Or  slumber  to  mine  eyelids; 

Until  I  find  out  a  place  for  Jehovah, 

A  tabernacle  for  the  Mighty  One  of  Jacob. 

Lo,  we  heard  of  it  in  Ephrathah: 

We  found  it  in  the  field  of  the  wood. 

We  will  go  into  his  tabernacles; 

We  will  worship  at  his  footstool. 

Arise,  O  Jehovah,  into  thy  resting-place; 

Thou,  and  the  ark  of  thy  strength. 

Let  thy  priests  be  clothed  with  righteousness; 

And  let  thy  saints  shout  for  joy. 

For  thy  servant  David's  sake 

Turn  not  away  the  face  of  thine  anointed. 

Jehovah  hath  sworn  unto  David  in  truth; 

He  will  not  turn  from  it: 

Of  the  fruit  of  thy  body  will  I  set  upon  thy  throne. 


466  PSALM  CXXXII. 

12.  If  thy  children  will  keep  my  covenant 
And  my  testimony  that  I  shall  teach  them, 

Their  children  also  shall  sit  upon  thy  throne  for  ever- 
more. 

13.  For  Jehovah  hath  chosen  Zion; 

He  hath  desired  it  for  his  habitation. 

14.  This  is  my  resting-place  for  ever: 
Here  will  I  dwell;  for  I  have  desired  it. 

15.  I  will  abundantly  bless  her  provision: 
I  will  satisfy  her  poor  with  bread. 

16.  Her  priests  also  will  I  clothe  with  salvation; 
And  her  saints  shall  shout  aloud  for  joy. 

17.  There  will  I  make  the  horn  of  David  to  bud: 
I  have  ordained  a  lamp  for  mine  anointed. 

18.  His  enemies  will  I  clothe  with  shame; 
But  upon  himself  shall  his  crown  flourish. 

Psalm  CXXXII. 

General  Subject.     Of  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

1.     See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

1-5.     He  will  not  rest  until  He  sees  His  church  established. 

P.  P. 
1-9.     See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  L.  6. 

Verses  partly  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  60. 

1-3,  5-10,  17,  18.  By  David  and  by  anointed  or  Christ 
is  not  understood  David  but  the  Lord  as  to  the  Divine 
Human.  It  is  said  that  His  habitations  —  the  habita- 
tions of  the  mighty  one  of  Jacob  —  are  found  in  Ephratah, 
which  is  Bethlehem.  By  verse  2  is  signified  irrevocable 
asseveration  before  the  Lord,  who  is  called  Jehovah  from 
the  Divine  in  first  principles,  and  the  mighty  one  of 
Jacob  from  the  Divine  in  ultimates,  in  which  the  Divine 
power  is  in  its  fulness.  Verse  3  signifies  not  to  enter  into 
and  know  the  things  which  appertain  to  the  church  and  to 
its  doctrine.     Verse  5  signifies  before  I  shall  know  the  ad- 


PSALM   CXXXII.  467 

vent  of  the  Lord,  and  the  arcana  of  the  union  of  His  Human 
with  the  Divine,  for  these  things  in  the  supreme  sense  are 
the  place  of  Jehovah,  and  the  habitations  of  the  Divine 
Human  of  the  Lord.  Verse  6  signifies  both  in  the  spiritual 
and  also  in  the  natural  sense  of  the  Word,  for  Ephratah 
and  Bethlehem  signify  the  spiritual  natural,  the  fields  of 
the  forest  the  natural,  both  appertaining  to  the  Word,  for 
there  the  Lord  is  found.  Verse  7  signifies  that  He  is 
there  found,  since  He  is  the  Word.  His  dwelling  places 
or  habitations  stand  for  the  things  which  appertain  to  the 
spiritual  sense,  consequently  the  heavens,  which  are  in 
that  sense.  His  footstool  stands  for  the  things  which 
appertain  to  the  natural  sense,  consequently  also  the 
church,  since  in  it  are  Divine  truths  in  their  ultimates, 
which  serve  the  spiritual  things  of  the  Word,  and  the 
heavens,  thus  the  Lord  himself,  as  a  footstool,  for  He 
dwells  in  these.  Verse  8  signifies  the  unition  of  the  Essen- 
tial Divine  with  the  Human  in  the  Lord,  and  thence  peace 
to  all  in  heaven  and  in  the  church.  The  rest  of  Jehovah 
stands  for  that  unition,  the  ark  of  his  strength  for  heaven 
and  the  church.  Verse  9  signifies  worship  thence  origi- 
nating in  love  with  those  who  are  in  celestial  love,  and 
worship  originating  in  charity  with  those  who  are  in 
spiritual  good,  priests  those  in  the  Lord's  celestial  king- 
dom, saints  those  in  His  spiritual  kingdom.  Verse  10 
signifies  that  they  may  be  enkindled  with  love,  and  il- 
lustrated with  the  light  of  truth,  since  Divine  truth  is 
united  with  Divine  good  in  the  Lord,  thus  the  essential 
Divine  with  the  Human,  and  the  Human  with  the  Divine, 
for  David  as  a  servant  signifies  the  Human  of  the  Lord 
as  to  Divine  truth,  and  the  anointed  the  same  united  to 
the  Divine  good,  His  face  Divine  love  and  illustration 
thence  derived.  Verse  17  signifies  the  power  of  Divine 
truth  from  Him  in  heaven  and  in  the  church,  the  lamp 
standing  for  Divine  truth  as  to  illustration.  Verse  18 
signifies  the  subjugation  of  the  hells  and  consequent  dissi- 


468  PSALM   CXXXII. 

pation   of   evils,    His   crown    flourish  —  perpetual    and 
eternal  victory  over  them.  E.  684. 

2.     See  Psalm  xlvi.  7,  8.  A.  3305. 

See  Psalm  xxiv.  8,  10.  L.  14. 

See  Psalm  xxiv.  8,  10.  T.  116. 

2-7.  That  these  things  are  said  of  the  Lord  is  manifest. 
We  heard  of  Him,  we  found  Him  is  expressed  in  the 
original  language  at  the  end  of  the  words  by  the  letter  H 
taken  from  the  name  Jehovah.  A.  4594. 

2,  3,  5.  That  it  is  the  Lord  who  is  meant  by  the  Mighty 
One  of  Jacob  is  plain.  A.  6425. 

The  Lord  is  called  the  God  of  Israel,  and  the  God  of 
Jacob.  L.  39. 

2,  4-7.  The  Mighty  One  of  Jacob  is  the  Lord  as  to  the 
Divine  Human,  Ephratah,  where  He  was  found,  is  Beth- 
lehem where  He  was  born,  the  fields  of  the  forest  are  the 
goods  of  the  church  among  the  gentiles.  A.  9594. 

Here  also  the  Lord  is  understood  by  David  and  by 
anointed,  for  He  is  treated  of  in  this  Psalm.  E.  205. 

2,  5.     Jehovah,  and  the  Mighty  One  of  Jacob. 

D.  P.,  Page  63. 

3.  The  tent  of  my  house  stands  for  the  holy  of  love.  To 
go  up  upon  the  couch  of  the  bed  means  upon  the  natural 
to  the  truth  which  is  from  the  good  of  love.  Coming 
into  the  tent  of  the  house,  and  going  up  upon  the  couch 
of  the  bed  is  a  prophetic  saying,  which  cannot  be  under- 
stood without  the  internal  sense.  A.  6188. 

4-7.  The  habitation  of  Jehovah  or  the  Lord  is  heaven, 
and  also  good,  because  in  good  heaven  consists.     A.  8309. 

6.     See  Psalm  xcvi.  12.  A.  901 1. 

When  told  that  they  —  the  Jews  —  do  not  know  where 
Bethlehem  Ephratah  is,  where  the  Messiah  will  be  born 
according  to  the  prediction  in  Micah  v.  2,  and  here  in 
David,  they  answer  that  still  the  mother  of  the  Messiah 
will  give  birth  there,  and  some  say  that  where  she  brings 
forth,  there  is  Bethlehem.  T.  845. 


PSALM  CXXXII.  469 

6,  7.  The  subject  here  treated  of  is  concerning  the  Lord, 
and  concerning  the  revelation  of  himself  in  the  Word. 
In  the  fields  of  the  forest  means  in  the  natural  or  literal 
sense  of  the  Word,  the  stool  of  the  feet  for  the  Divine 
truth  proceeding  from  the  Lord  in  ultimates.  A.  9406. 
That  the  Lord  is  called  Lord  and  God  is  manifest. 

L.  41. 
See  Psalm  xcix.  5.  R.  49. 

He  was  born  in  Bethlehem,  let  us  adore  Him.       P.  P. 

6-8.  Treating  of  the  Lord,  Ephratah  is  Bethlehem,  where 
the  Lord  was  born.  Habitation  stands  for  heaven,  where 
the  Lord  is.  "Thou  and  the  ark  of  Thy  strength" 
stands  for  the  Lord  and  His  representative.         A.  9485. 

6-9.  Concerning  the  Lord,  who  is  also  here  understood 
by  David.  Ephratah  is  Bethlehem  where  the  Lord  was 
born.  By  Ephratah  is  signified  the  Word  in  its  natural 
sense,  by  Bethlehem  the  Word  in  its  spiritual  sense. 
Since  the  Lord  is  the  Word  it  was  therefore  His  will  to 
be  born  there.  The  fields  of  the  forest  signify  those 
things  which  appertain  to  the  natural  sense  of  the  Word. 
The  spiritual  sense  is  signified  by  His  dwelling  places, 
thence  also  heaven,  since  heaven  is  in  that  sense.  By 
footstool  —  the  natural  sense  of  the  Word,  and  thence 
also  the  church  on  earth,  as  the  church  is  m  that  sense. 
By  verse  8,  the  unition  of  the  Divine  and  Human  in  the 
Lord,  and  His  conjunction  with  heaven  and  the  church 
are  understood.  The  Lord  had  rest  and  peace,  they  also 
who  were  in  heaven  and  in  the  church  when  He  sub- 
jugated the  hells,  and  disposed  all  things  there  and  in  the 
heavens  into  order.  The  ark  signifies  the  Divine  truth 
proceeding  from  Him,  for  by  this  the  Lord  has  Divine 
power.  Verse  9.  Priests  those  who  are  in  good,  saints 
these  who  are  in  truths,  thus  abstractedly  the  goods  and 
truths  of  heaven  and  the  church.  E.  700. 

6-9  et  seq.  The  Lord  as  to  His  Divine  Human  is  under- 
stood by  David,  the  anointed  of  Jehovah.     This  signifi- 


47°  PSALM   CXXXII. 

cation  of  anointed  is  further  evident  in  Lamentations 
iv.  19,  20.  E.  375. 

6,  7,  9,  10.     The  foregoing  statement  repeated  in:   A.  9954. 
2.      See  Psalm  xcix.  5.  A.  2162. 

See  Psalm  xcix.  5.  A.  9166. 

See  Psalm  viii.  7.  R.  470. 

See  Psalm  xcix.  5.  E.  69. 

Spoken  of  the  Lord.  By  His  footstool  is  signified 

the  church  in  the  earths.  E.  606. 

7,  8.  The  ark  owing  to  the  law  in  it  was  called  "  Jehovah 
there."  Life  59. 

The  foregoing  statement  repeated  in:  T.  284. 

God  and  His  commandments  make  one,  for  which 
reason  the  ten  commandments  of  the  decalogue  were 
called  "  Jehovah  there. "  T.  382. 

8,  The  ark  on  account  of  the  law  in  it  was  called  "  Jehovah 
there."  R.  529. 

for  He  united  His  Divine  to  His  Human.  P.  P. 

8-18.     See  Psalm  xlv.  2-18.  L.  44. 

9,  10.     Let  them  worship  Him  from  good  and  from  truth. 

P.P. 

9,  10,  17,  18.  Here  also  the  Lord  is  understood  by  David 
and  by  anointed,  for  He  is  treated  of  in  this  Psalm.  This 
is  plain  from  what  precedes  in  verses  2,  4-7.  E.  205. 

11.     See  Psalm  cv.  9.  R.  474. 

See  Psalm  ex.  4.  E.  608. 

By  David  is  understood  the  Lord  as  to  the  spiritual 
kingdom  which  is  His  royalty.  By  setting  the  fruit  of 
His  belly  upon  His  throne  is  understood  a  man  who  is 
regenerating  by  Him,  the  regenerate  being  called  the 
fruit  of  His  belly,  because  they  are  in  truths  and  in  a  life 
according  to  them.  By  the  throne  is  understood  heaven. 
These  are  the  things  understood  in  the  spiritual  sense, 
but  in  the  supreme  sense  the  Lord  is  understood  and  His 
glorification.  E.  710. 

11,  12.     "  Jehovah  hath  sworn  unto  David  in  truth"  mani- 


PSALM   CXXXII.  471 

festly  stands  for  the  confirmation  of  eternal  truth,  there- 
fore it  is  said,  "  He  will  not  turn  from  it. "  By  David  the 
Lord  was  meant.  A.  2842. 

It  is  an  eternal  truth,  that  those  who  worship  Him  will 
be  saved.  P.  P. 

12.  That  all  the  judgments  and  statutes  which  the  Lord 
commanded  by  Moses  to  the  people  of  Israel  were  called 
the  covenant,  and  also  the  Books  of  Moses  themselves  is 
evident.  See  also  Revelation  xi.  19.  Exodus  xxxiv.  27, 
etc.  A.  6804. 

See  Psalm  lxxviii.  5.  R.  490. 

See  Psalm  lxxviii.  5.  R.  555. 

By  David  is  understood  the  Lord,  by  his  children  those 
are  understood  who  practise  or  keep  the  precepts  of  the 
Lord.  By  covenant  is  understood  the  truth  of  doctrine, 
and  by  testimony  the  good  of  life  according  to  the  truths 
of  doctrine.  E.  392. 

13,  14.  Mount  Zion  signifies  heaven  and  the  church 
where  the  Lord  alone  is  worshipped.  R.  61 2. 

Zion  —  heaven  and  the  church  where  the  Lord  reigns 

by  His  Divine  truth.  E.  850. 

The  Lord  dwells  in  His  church  because  He  loves  her. 

P.  P. 

15, 16.     Because  there  He  dwells  in  truths  and  goods.   P.  P. 

17.     The  Lord  is  treated  of.     A  horn  stands  for  the  power 

of  truth,  a  lamp  for  the  light  of  truth.  A.  2832. 

See  Psalm  ii.  2-6.  A.  9954. 

All  spiritual  budding  is  of  truth  derived  from  good, 

wherefore  also  they  made  formerly  horns  budding  forth. 

A.  10182. 
See  Psalm  ii.  2-6.  R.  779. 

David  and  anointed  —  the  Lord  as  to  Divine  truth. 
By  making  his  horn  to  bud  is  understood  the  multipli- 
cation of  Divine  truths  in  the  heavens  and  on  the  earth 
from  Him.  A  similar  thing  is  understood  by,  "I  have 
ordained  a  lamp  for  mine  anointed. "  E.  316. 


472  PSALM   CXXXII. 

See  Psalm  ii.  2,  6.  E.  375. 

17,  18.  David  stands  for  the  Lord,  also  anointed,  his  horn 
for  power,  lamp  for  the  Divine  truth  from  which  is  in- 
telligence, crown  for  Divine  good  from  which  is  wisdom, 
from  which  also  He  derived  rule.  The  crown  which  is 
wisdom  is  said  to  flourish  by  that  which  He  acquired  to 
himself,  as  to  the  Human  in  the  world,  by  combats 
against  and  victories  over  the  hells,  these  are  the  enemies 
which  shall  be  clothed  with  shame.  A.  993. 

That  the  Lord  is  here  meant  is  evident  from  what  goes 
before  in  this  Psalm,  verses  6-10.  A.  9954. 

A  crown  signifies  wisdom,  because  wisdom  holds  the 
highest  place  in  man  and  so  crowns  him.  R.  189. 

See  Psalm  lxxxix.  39,  40.  E.   126. 

By  the  horn  is  signified  power,  by  the  lamp  the  Divine 
truth  from  which  is  intelligence,  by  crown  the  Divine 
good,  from  which  is  Divine  wisdom,  and  from  which  is 
the  Lord's  government.     The  enemies  are  evils  and  falses. 

E.  272. 

The  Lord  is  here  understood.  E.  375. 

For  this  reason  she  will  be  in  power  and  in  light  against 
falsities  of  evil.  P.  P. 


PSALM  CXXXIII. 

A  Song  of  Ascents;  of  David. 

1.  Behold,  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is 
For  brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity! 

2.  It  is  like  the  precious  oil  upon  the  head, 
That  ran  down  upon  the  beard, 

Even  Aaron's  beard; 

That  came  down  upon  the  skirt  of  his  garments; 

3.  Like  the  dew  of  Hermon, 

That  cometh  down  upon  the  mountains  of  Zion: 
For  there  Jehovah  commanded  the  blessing, 
Even  life  for  evermore. 


PSALM   CXXXIIJ 


Psalm   CXXXIII. 


473 


:.     See  Psalm  xviii.  i.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

By  brother  is  understood  by  the  Lord  the  same  as  by 
neighbour,  and  by  neighbour  in  the  spiritual  sense  good 
in  every  complexity,  which  is  the  good  of  charity.  E.  746. 

Good  itself  is  the  conjunction  of  good  and  truth.  P.  P. 
j  2.  The  comparative  resemblance  of  such  things  is 
evident  from  the  internal  sense,  in  which  the  influx  of 
good  into  truths  is  treated  of,  and  thus  their  brotherhood 
is  described,  for  oil  stands  for  good,  the  head  of  Aaron 
for  the  inmost  of  good,  the  beard  for  the  most  external 
good,  garments  for  truths,  to  descend  for  influx.  Hence 
it  is  clear  that  here  is  signified  the  influx  of  goods  from 
interiors  to  exteriors  into  truths,  and  conjunction  there. 

A.  9806. 

-3.     Oil  signifies  celestial  good.     They  anointed  with  it 

those  who  should  discharge  the  duties  of  the  priesthood, 

and  their  garments.  R.  779. 

By  brethren  are  signified  good  and  truth,  for  these  are 
called  brethren  in  the  Word,  therefore  verse  1  signifies 
that  all  celestial  good  and  delight  are  in  the  conjunction 
of  good  and  truth,  since  they  originate  in  that  conjunction. 
Verse  2  signifies  that  thence  are  derived  every  good  and 
every  delight  of  heaven,  from  inmost  to  ultimates,  for 
the  head  stands  for  what  is  inmost  and  the  beard  for  what 
is  ultimate.  Descending  upon  the  skirts  of  his  garments 
signifies  the  influx  and  conjunction  of  celestial  good  and 
spiritual  good.  This  is  said  of  Aaron,  because  by  him 
was  represented  the  Lord  as  to  Divine  good,  for  all  good 
and  all  conjunction  of  good  and  truth  are  from  Him. 
Verse  3  signifies  this  conjunction  of  good  and  truth,  since 
the  spiritual  life  of  men  and  angels  exists  by  virtue  of 
that  conjunction.  E.  375. 


474  PSALM   CXXXIII. 

2.  The  head  is  as  the  supreme  or  inmost  in  the  heavens 
which  descends  and  flows  into  the  heavens  which  are 
beneath  and  produces  and  flows  into  them,  therefore  the 
head  of  man  corresponds  to  the  inmost  heaven,  the  body 
to  the  loins  to  the  middle  heaven,  and  the  feet  to  the  ulti- 
mate heaven.  The  oil  with  which  the  priest  was  anointed 
flowed  down  from  the  crown  of  the  head  even  to  the  body. 

A.  iooii. 
For  the  good  of  love  flows  into  the  truths  of  the  ex- 
ternal or  natural  man.  P.  P. 

2,  3.  Dew  stands  for  the  multiplication  of  truth  from 
good,  and  the  fructification  of  good  by  truth.         A.  3579. 

3.  The  subjects  here  treated  of  are  the  marriage  of  good 
and  truth,  and  their  fructification  and  multiplication. 
Both  the  former  and  the  latter  are  understood  by  the  dew 
of  Hermon.  The  mountains  of  Zion  upon  which  it 
descended  signifies  where  the  goods  of  celestial  love  are, 
wherefore  it  is  also  said  —  see  end  of  verse.  E.  340. 

The  truth  of  good  is  from  heaven  upon  those  who  are 
in  the  church,  in  which  is  salvation.  P.  P. 


PSALM  CXXXIV. 

A  Song  of  Ascents. 


1.  Behold,  bless  ye  Jehovah,  all  ye  servants  of  Jehovah, 
That  by  night  stand  in  the  house  of  Jehovah. 

2.  Lift  up  your  hands  to  the  sanctuary, 
And  bless  ye  Jehovah. 

3.  Jehovah  bless  thee  out  of  Zion; 
Even  he  that  made  heaven  and  earth. 


psalm  cxxxiv.  475 


Psalm   CXXXIV. 

i.     See  Psalm  xviii.  i.  R.  279. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326. 

Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord  by  those  who  worship  Him, 

when  the  church  has  been  devastated.  P.  P. 

2,  3.     Let  them  worship  the  Lord,  who  is  the  God  of  heaven 
and  the  church.  P.  P. 

3.  See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  R.  612. 
Zion,  heaven  and  the  church  where  the  Lord  reigns  by 

His  Divine  truth.  E.  850. 


PSALM  CXXXV. 


1.  Praise  ye  Jehovah. 

Praise  ye  the  name  of  Jehovah; 
Praise  him,  O  ye  servants  of  Jehovah, 

2.  Ye  that  stand  in  the  house  of  Jehovah, 
In  the  courts  of  the  house  of  our  God. 

3.  Praise  ye  Jehovah;  for  Jehovah  is  good: 
Sing  praises  unto  his  name;  for  it  is  pleasant 

4.  For  Jehovah  hath  chosen  Jacob  unto  himself, 
And  Israel  for  his  own  possession. 

5.  For  I  know  that  Jehovah  is  great, 
And  that  our  Lord  is  above  all  gods. 

6.  Whatsoever  Jehovah  pleased,  that  hath  he  done, 

In  heaven  and  in  earth,  in  the  seas  and  in  all  deeps; 

7.  Who  causeth  the  vapors  to  ascend  from  the  ends  of  the 

earth; 
Who  maketh  lightnings  for  the  rain; 
Who  bringeth  forth  the  wind  out  of  his  treasuries; 

8.  Who  smote  the  first-born  of  Egypt, 
Both  of  man  and  beast; 

9.  Who  sent  signs  and  wonders  into  the  midst  of  thee,  O 

Egypt, 
Upon  Pharaoh,  and  upon  all  his  servants; 


476  PSALM   CXXXV. 

10.     Who  smote  many  nations, 

And  slew  mighty  kings, 
n.     Sihon  king  of  the  Amorites, 

And  Og  king  of  Bashan, 

And  all  the  kingdoms  of  Canaan, 

12.  And  gave  their  land  for  a  heritage, 
A  heritage  unto  Israel  his  people. 

13.  Thy  name,  O  Jehovah,  endureth  for  ever; 

Thy  memorial  name,  O  Jehovah,  throughout  all  gener- 
ations. 
For  Jehovah  will  judge  his  people, 
And  repent  himself  concerning  his  servants. 
The  idols  of  the  nations  are  silver  and  gold, 
The  work  of  men's  hands. 
They  have  mouths,  but  they  speak  not; 
Eyes  have  they,  but  they  see  not; 
They  have  ears,  but  they  hear  not; 
Neither  is  there  any  breath  in  their  mouths. 
They  that  make  them  shall  be  like  unto  them, 
Yea,"  every  one  that  trusteth  in  them. 
O  house  of  Israel,  bless  ye  Jehovah: 
O  house  of  Aaron,  bless  ye  Jehovah: 
O  house  of  Levi,  bless  .ye  Jehovah: 
Ye  that  fear  Jehovah,  bless  ye  Jehovah. 
Blessed  be  Jehovah  out  of  Zion, 
Who  dwelleth  at  Jerusalem. 
Praise  ye  Jehovah. 


Psalm   CXXXV. 

1,  2.     See  Psalm  lxv.  5.  A.  9741. 

See  Psalm  lxv.  5.  R.  487. 

See  Psalm  lxv.  5.  E.  630. 

1,3.     Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord  in  His  Divine  Human. 

P.  P. 

3.  See  Psalm  civ.  35.  R.  803. 
See  Psalm  civ.  35.                                                E.  1197. 

4.  That  they  are  called  the  Lord's  own  possession  who  are 
of  the  church,  thus  with  whom  the  Word  is,  is  evident. 

A.  8768. 


psalm  cxxxv  477 

Who  institutes  the  church.  P.  P. 

5.  See  Psalm  lxxxvi.  8.  A.  8301. 
And  who  alone  is  God.  P.  P. 

6.  By  heaven  is  understood  the  angelic  heaven,  by  earth 
those  who  are  below,  by  the  seas  and  by  depths  are  meant 
those  who  are  there  in  the  ultimates.  E.  342. 

6,  7.  Lightning  for  the  rain  stands  for  the  flashing  of 
truth  coming  down  out  of  heaven.  A.  8813. 

Who  alone  teaches  the  church  external  and  internal 
truths.  P.  P. 

7.  Wind  signifies  influx,  properly  the  influx  of  truth  into 
the  understanding.  See  also  Ezekiel  xxxvii.  9,  10:  Zech- 
ariah  vi.  1,  5.  R.  343- 

Rain  signifies  the  Divine  truth  from  heaven.      R.  496. 

In  the  spiritual  sense  the  reformation  of  man  and  the 
establishment  of  the  church  is  described.'  From  that 
reformation  and  establishment  the  Lord  is  called  the 
Maker  of  the  earth,  and  elsewhere  the  Maker  and 
Creator,  earth  meaning  the  church.  .  .  .  Ultimate 
truths  which  are  knowledges  from  the  literal  sense  of 
the  Word  are  signified  by  vapors  ascending  from  the 
ends  of  the  earth,  spiritual  things  thence  derived  by 
lightnings  for  the  rain,  lightnings  being  predicated  of 
the  light  of  heaven,  and  rain  of  influx.  Reformation 
thence  by  Divine  truth  from  the  Lord  is  signified  by 
bringing  the  wind  out  of  his  treasuries.  E.  419. 

To  make  vapors  to  ascend  signifies  truths  in  the  ulti- 
mate, such  as  those  of  the  Word  in  the  literal  sense,  in 
which  are  contained  spiritual  truths,  the  end  of  the 
earth  means  the  ultimates  of  the  church,  vapors  truth 
for  those  who  are  in  ultimates,  to  make  them  to  ascend  — 
to  give  spiritual  truths  from  the  ultimate  truths,  because 
contained  in  them,  which  especially  fructify  the  church. 
"Lightnings  for  the  rain"  signifies  illustration  from  the 
influx  of  Divine  truth  with  them.  "Wind  out  of  His 
treasures"  signifies  spiritual  things  in  the  Word  out  of 
heaven.  E.  644. 


478  PSALM  cxxxv. 

7,  8.  The  establishment  of  the  church  is  treated  of.  The 
earth  and  the  world  signify  the  church,  waters  in  the 
heavens  spiritual  truths,  rain  the  same  when  they  descend 
and  become  natural.  Their  illumination  is  signified  by 
lightnings.  E.  273. 

8-1 1.  Who  delivers  the  natural  man  from  the  falsities  of 
evil.  P.  P. 

9.     See  Psalm  lxxviii.  42,  43.  E.  706. 

12.  And  there  implants  the  church.  P.  P. 

13.  This  is  done  by  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

14.  Who  leads  her.  P.  P. 

15.  See  Psalm  cxv.  4.  A.  10406. 
15,  16.    See  Psalm  cxv.  4,  5.  A.  8932. 

See  Psalm  cxv.  4,  5.  R.  459. 

See  Psalm  cxv.  5.  R.  460. 

See  Psalm  cxv.  4,  5.  E.  587. 

15-18.     One's  own  intelligence  effects  nothing.  P.  P. 

17.     Their  having  no  breath  in  their  mouth  signifies  that 

there  was  no  truth  in  thought,  for  mouth  in  the  Word 

stands  for  thought.  E.  419. 

19.     The  house  of  Israel  stands  for  those  who  are  in  truths, 

the  house  of  Aaron  for  those  who  are  in  goods,  for  in  the 

Word  where  truth  is  treated  of,  good  is  also  treated  of 

on  account  of  the  heavenly  marriage.  A.  9806. 

19-21.     The  spiritual  and  celestial  church  worships  the 

Lord  who  is  the  God  of  the  church.  P.  P. 

21.     See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  A.  1096. 

See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  R.  289. 

See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  R.  612. 

See  Psalm  xlviii.  3-4.  E.  850. 


psalm  cxxxvi.  479 


PSALM  CXXXVI. 


*:.     Oh  give  thanks  unto  Jehovah;  for  he  is  good; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  forever. 

2.  Oh  give  thanks  unto  the  God  of  gods; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever. 

3.  O  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord  of  lords; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever: 

4.  To  him  who  alone  doeth  great  wonders; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever: 

5.  To  him  that  by  understanding  made  the  heavens; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever: 

6.  To  him  that  spread  forth  the  earth  above  the  waters; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever: 

7.  To  him  that  made  great  lights; 

For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever: 

8.  The  sun  to  rule  by  day; 

For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever; 

9.  The  moon  and  stars  to  rule  by  night; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever: 

10.  To  him  that  smote  Egypt  in  their  first-born; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever; 

11.  And  brought  out  Israel  from  among  them; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever; 

12.  With  a  strong  hand,  and  with  an  outstretched  arm; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever: 

13.  To  him  that  divided  the  Red  Sea  in  sunder; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever; 

14.  And  made  Israel  to  pass  through  the  midst  of  it; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever; 

15.  But  overthrew  Pharaoh  and  his  host  in  the  Red  Sea; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever: 

16.  To  him  that  led  his  people  through  the  wilderness; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever: 

17.  To  him  that  smote  great  kings; 

For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever; 

18.  And  slew  famous  kings; 

For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever: 


480  PSALM   CXXXVI. 

19.  Sihon  king  of  the  Amorites; 

For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever; 

20.  And  Og.king  of  Bashan; 

For  his  lovingkindness-  endureth  for  ever; 

21.  And  gave  their  land  for  a  heritage; 

For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever; 

22.  Even  a  heritage  unto  Israel  his  servant; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever: 

23.  Who  remembered  us  in  our  low  estate; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever; 

24.  And  hath  delivered  us  from  our  adversaries; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever: 

25.  Who  giveth  food  to  all  flesh; 

For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever. 

26.  Oh  give  thanks  unto  the  God  of  heaven; 
For  his  lovingkindness  endureth  for  ever. 

Psalm  CXXXVI. 

1-3.  In  the  Word  of  the  Old  Testament  the  name  Lord 
involves  the  same  as  Jehovah,  namely,  it  is  said  Lord 
when  good  is  treated  of,  wherefore  also  Lord  is  distin- 
guished from  God  as  Jehovah  is  distinguished  from  God. 

A.  2921. 

Jehovah  or  the  Lord  is  called  God  of  gods  from  the 

Divine  truth  which  proceeds  from  Him,  and  Lord  of  lords 

from  the  Divine  good,  which  is  in  Him.  A.  4973. 

Let  them  confess  the  Lord,  who  alone  is  God  and  Lord. 

P.  P. 
2.     It  is  said  God  in  the  Word  where  truth  is  treated  of, 
and  God  in  the  supreme  sense  is  the  Divine  truth  pro- 
ceeding from  the  Lord.  A.  8301. 
2,  3.     See  Psalm  xviii.  3,  29,  30,  32.     Add:  For  this  reason 
every  angel  or  spirit  that  spake  with  men,  and  whom  they 
believed  to  have  power,  they  called  god.  A.  300. 
See  Psalm  lxxxii.  1-6.                                          A.  4295. 
God  of  gods  —  Elohe  Elohim  —  see  Psalm  lxxxii.  6. 

A.  4402. 


PSALM  CXXXVL  48 1 

See  Psalm  xxix.  1.  A.  7268. 

See  Psalm  lxxvii.  14-15.  A.  7401. 

4-6.     Who,   by  means  of  the  Divine  truth,   has  formed 

heaven  and  the  church.  P.  P. 

5,  6.  Because  heaven  and  earth  signify  the  church,  and  the 
church  is  formed  by  truths,  and  the  truths  of  the  church 
constitute  intelligence,  it  is  therefore  said  that  Jehovah 
made  the  heavens  by  wisdom,  and  stretched  out  the  earth 
above  the  waters,  waters  meaning  the  truth  of  the  church. 

E.  304. 

5-9.     The  great  lights  signify  love  and  faith,  and  are  also 

called  the  sun,  the  moon,  and  the  stars.  A.  31. 

See  Psalm  lxxiv.  16.  E.  527. 

5-1 1.  The  new  creation  or  regeneration  of  the  men  of 
whom  the  church  consists  is  here  described.  By  the 
heavens  in  verse  5  are  meant  the  internal  things  of  the 
men  of  the  church,  which  in  one  expression  are  called 
the  spiritual  man,  where  intelligence  resides  and  where 
their  heaven  is.  By  the  earth  in  verse  6  is  meant  the 
external  of  the  church,  which  is  called  the  natural  man. 
It  is  said  to  be  stretched  out  upon  the  waters,  because  in 
it  are  the  truths  by  which  man  is  regenerated.  By  the 
great  luminaries  verses  7-9  are  meant  the  sun  the  good  of 
love,  the  moon  the  truth  from  that  good,  the  stars  the 
knowledges  of  good  and  truth.  The  sun  was  made  to 
rule  by  day,  because  day  signifies  the  light  of  the  spiritual 
man,  which  has  illumination  and  perception  from  the 
good  of  love;  the  moon  and  stars  rule  by  night,  because 
night  signifies  the  light  of  the  natural  man,  for  this  light 
compared  to  the  light  of  the  spiritual  man  is  as  the  light 
of  the  night  from  the  moon  and  stars,  to  the  light  of  the 
the  day  from  the  sun.  E.  401. 

6.  See  Psalm  xxvii.  13.  R.  285. 
7-9.     It  is  plain  that  the  goods  of  love  and  charity,  and  the 

truths  of  faith  together  with  their  knowledges  are  signi- 
fied. A.  4697. 


482  PSALM   CXXXVI. 

See  Psalm  lxxiv.  16.  R.  414. 

From  whom  is  all  truth  of  doctrine,  and  good  of  love, 

and  knowledge  (cognitio)  of  these.  P.  P. 

9.     Faith,  in  the  Word,  is  compared  to  night,  and  love  to 

day  in  Genesis  i.  14,  16,  and  so  in  the  prophets  Jeremiah 

xxxi.  35,  Revelation  viii.  12,  etc.  A.  709. 

10-22.     Who  delivers  the  natural  man  from  falsities  of 

evil,  and  there  establishes  the  church,  and  dissipates  evil 

of  every  kind.  P.  P. 

11,  12.  The  arm  is  power,  but  an  outstretched  arm  is 
omnipotence  or  Divine  power,  because  by  an  arm  when 
it  appears  stretched  out  in  the  heavens  is  represented 
power  from  the  Divine.  When  not  stretched  out  but 
bended,  power  in  the  general  sense  is  represented.  A.  7205. 

12.  See  Psalm  x.  15.  A.  4933- 
23.  See  Psalm  viii.  5.  A.  9849. 
23-26.     Celebration  and  confession  of  Him  who  delivers 

from  falsities  and  evils,  and  grants  truths  and  goods.  P.  P. 
Whole  Chapter  and  this  from  pure  mercy.  P.  P. 


PSALM  CXXXVII. 


1.  By  the  rivers  of  Babylon, 
There  we  sat  down,  yea,  we  wept, 
When  we  remembered  Zion. 

2.  Upon  the  willows  in  the  midst  thereof 
We  hanged  up  our  harps. 

3.  For  there  they  that  led  us  captive  required  of  us  songs, 
And  they  that  wasted  us  required  0}  us  mirth,  saying, 
Sing  us  one  of  the  songs  of  Zion. 

4.  How  shall  we  sing  Jehovah's  song 
In  a  foreign  land? 

5.  If  I  forget  thee,  O  Jerusalem, 
Let  my  right  hand  forget  her  skill. 


PSALM   CXXXVII.  483 

6.  Let  my  tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth, 
If  I  remember  thee  not; 

If  I  prefer  not  Jerusalem 
Above  my  chief  joy. 

7.  Remember,  O  Jehovah,  against  the  children  of  Edom 
The  day  of  Jerusalem; 

Who  said,  Rase  it,  rase  it, 
Even  to  the  foundation  thereof. 

8.  O  daughter  of  Babylon,  that  art  to  be  destroyed, 
Happy  shall  he  be,  that  rewardeth  thee 

As  thou  hast  served  us. 

9.  Happy  shall  he  be,  that  taketh  and  dasheth  thy  little 

ones 
Against  the  rock. 

Psalm  CXXXVII. 

1.     By  the  rivers  of  Babylon  is  signified  the  understanding 
of  falsity,  and  reasoning  from  self-derived  intelligence. 

E.  518. 

1,  2.     See  Psalm  xxxiii.  2,  3.  R.  276. 

See  Psalm  xliii.  4.  E.  323. 

1-6.     Lamentation  by  the  nations  who  are  in  falsities  from 

ignorance,  because  they  do  not  have  the  Word.        P.  P. 

1,  8,  9.     The  destruction  of  Babel  is  described.      E.  1029. 

4-6.     See  Psalm  cxxii.  1-7.  L.  64. 

See  Psalm  cxxii.  1-7.  R.  880. 

See  Psalm  cxxiii  1-7.  B.  100. 

See  Psalm  cxxii.  1-7.  T.  782. 

5.     Jerusalem  signifies  the  church  as  to  the  doctrine  of 

Divine  truth,  and  the  right  hand  of  Jehovah  Divine  truth 

in  light,  since  they  are  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Lord  in 

heaven  who  are  in  light  and  in  wisdom  from  Divine  truth. 

E.  298. 

5,  6.     Of  these  a  church  will  be  formed  by  the  Lord,  which 

He  will  love.  P.  P. 

Verses  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  ^. 


484  PSALM   CXXXVII. 

7-9.     Those  who  have  devastated  the  church  will  perish. 

P.P. 

8.  By  daughter  affections  are  meant  that  disagree  with  the 
truth,  and  thus  religions  which  arise  in  this  way.  What 
these  religions  are  is  plain  from  the  signification  of  the 
people  named,  here  Babel.  A.  3024. 

See  Psalm  xlv.  13.  A.  6729. 

It  is  according  to  the  sense  of  the  letter  that  those  whom 
they  have  seduced  and  destroyed  will  recompense  them, 
but  according  to  the  spiritual  sense  they  will  not  recom- 
pense them,  but  these  recompense  themselves,  as  every 
evil  brings  its  punishment  with  it.  R.  762. 

9.  By  little  ones  are  meant  falsities,  for  the  subject  treated 
of  is  Babylon,  whereby  is  signified  the  falsities  of  evil 
destroying  the  truths  of  good,  pertaining  to  the  church. 
The  destruction  of  these  is  signified  by  dashing  them 
against  the  rock,  here  standing  for  the  ruling  falsity  of 
evil,  and  dash  for  to  destroy.  It  would  be  an  enormous 
crime  thus  to  treat  literally  the  children  of  enemies,  since 
the  simple  meaning  here  is  that  he  is  blessed  who  destroys 
the  falsities  of  evil  which  spring  up  in  the  church,  and 
which  are  signified  by  the  children  of  Babylon.    E.  411. 


PSALM  CXXXVIII. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 


I  will  give  thee  thanks  with  my  whole  heart: 

Before  the  gods  will  I  sing  praises  unto  thee. 

I  will  worship  toward  thy  holy  temple, 

And  give  thanks  unto  thy  name  for  thy  lovingkindness 

and  for  thy  truth: 
For  thou  hast  magnified  thy  word  above  all  thy  name. 
In  the  day  that  I  called  thou  answeredst  me, 
Thou  didst  encourage  me  with  strength  in  my  soul. 


PSALM   CXXXVIII.  485 

4.  All  the  kings  of  the  earth  shall  give  thee  thanks,  O 

Jehovah, 
For  they  have  heard  the  words  of  thy  mouth. 

5.  Yea,  they  shall  sing  of  the  ways  of  Jehovah; 
For  great  is  the  glory  of  Jehovah. 

6.  For  though  Jehovah  is  high,  yet  hath  he  respect  unto 

the  lowly; 
But  the  haughty  he  knoweth  from  afar. 

7.  Though  I  walk  in  the  midst  of  trouble,  thou  wilt  revive 

me; 
Thou  wilt  stretch  forth  thy  hand  against  the  wrath  of 

mine  enemies, 
And  thy  right  hand  will  save  me. 

8.  Jehovah  will  perfect  that  which  concerneth  me: 
Thy  lovingkindness,  O  Jehovah,  endureth  for  ever; 
Forsake  not  the  works  of  thine  own  hands. 


Psalm  CXXXVIII. 

General  Subject.     Song  in  praise  of  the  Lord  by  the 
church.  P.  P. 

1.  See  Psalm  Ixxxvi.  8.  A.  8301. 
1-5.     The  Lord  ought  to  be  worshipped  from  the  Word 

where  is  His  Divine  truth.  P.  P. 

2.  See  Psalm  xviii.  7.  R.  191. 
By  temple  is  signified  the  Lord's  Divine  Human,  and 

at  the  same  time  heaven  and  the  church.  E.  220. 

6-8.     Those  who  are  humble  will  have  salvation  from  the 

Lord,  and  life  and  protection.  P.  P. 

8.     See  Psalm  cxi.  7.  R.  457. 

See  Psalm  cxi.  7.  E.  585. 


486  PSALM   CXXXIX. 

PSALM  CXXXIX. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.    A  Psalm  of  David. 

1.  O  Jehovah,  thou  hast  searched  me,  and  known  me. 

2.  Thou  knowest  my  downsitting  and  mine  uprising; 
Thou  understandest  my  thought  afar  off. 
Thou  searchest  out  my  path  and  my  lying  down, 
And  art  acquainted  with  all  my  ways. 
For  there  is  not  a  word  in  my  tongue, 
But,  lo,  O  Jehovah,  thou  knowest  it  altogether. 
Thou  hast  beset  me  behind  and  before, 
And  laid  thy  hand  upon  me. 
Such  knowledge  is  too  wonderful  for  me; 
It  is  high,  I  cannot  attain  unto  it. 
Whither  shall  I  go  from  thy  Spirit  ? 
Or  whither  shall  I  flee  from  thy  presence  ? 
If  I  ascend  up  into  heaven,  thou  art  there : 
If  I  make  my  bed  in  Sheol,  behold,  thou  art  there. 
If  I  take  the  wings  of  the  morning, 

And  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  sea; 

10.  Even  there  shall  thy  hand  lead  me, 
And  thy  right  hand  shall  hold  me. 

11.  If  I  say,  Surely  the  darkness  shall  overwhelm  me, 
And  the  light  about  me  shall  be  night; 

12.  Even  the  darkness  hideth  not  from  thee, 
But  the  night  shineth  as  the  day: 

The  darkness  and  the  light  are  both  alike  to  thee. 

13.  For  thou  didst  form  my  inward  parts: 
Thou  didst  cover  me  in  my  mother's  womb. 

14.  I  will  give  thanks  unto  thee;  for  I  am  fearfully  and 

wonderfully  made: 
Wonderful  are  thy  works; 
And  that  my  soul  knoweth  right  well. 

15.  My  frame  was  not  hidden  from  thee, 
When  I  was  made  in  secret, 

And  curiously  wrought  in  the  lowest  parts  of  the  earth. 

16.  Thine  eyes  did  see  mine  unformed  substance; 
And  in  thy  book  they  were  all  written, 
Even  the  days  that  were  ordained  for  me, 
When  as  yet  there  was  none  of  them. 


PSALM   CXXXIX.  487 

17.  How  precious  also  are  thy  thoughts  unto  me,  O  God! 
How  great  is  the  sum  of  them ! 

18.  If  I  should  count  them,  they  are  more  in  number  than 

the  sand: 
When  I  awake,  I  am  still  with  thee. 

19.  Surely,  thou  wilt  slay  the  wicked,  O  God: 
Depart  from  me  therefore,  ye  bloodthirsty  men. 

20      For  they  speak  against  thee  wickedly, 

And  thine  enemies  take  thy  name  in  vain. 

21.  Do  not  I  hate  them,  O  Jehovah,  that  hate  thee? 
And  am  not  I  grieved  with  those  that  rise  up  against 

thee? 

22.  I  hate  them  with  perfect  hatred: 
They  are  become  mine  enemies. 

23.  Search  me,  O  God,  and  know  my  heart: 
Try  me,  and  know  my  thoughts; 

24.  And  see  if  there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me, 
And  lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting. 


Psalm  CXXXIX. 

General  Subject.     Song  in  praise  of  the  Father  by  the 
Lord.  P.  P. 

1,2.  To  know  his  sitting  refers  to  the  "  Esse  "  of  life  which 
is  the  will,  to  know  his  rising  refers  to  the  intention  thence 
derived,  since  the  thought  follows  the  intention  of  the 
will  it  is  added,  "  thou  understandest  my  thought  afar  off. " 

E.  687. 
1-5.     He  knows  everything  of  His  thought  and  will  be- 
cause He  is  made  one  with  Him.  P.  P. 
2.     To  sit  signifies  to  be  in  a  permanent  state,  therefore  to 
sit  was  a  ritual  received  among  the  sons  of  Israel  when 
they  represented  a  permanent  state  of  the  interiors. 

A.  9422. 
6-10.     Omniscience  and  omnipresence  belong  to  Him. 

P.  P. 
7.     Spirit  stands  for  Jehovah  himself  or  the  Lord.     L.  50. 


488  PSALM  CXXXIX. 

8.  God  is  omniscient  in  hell  as  well  as  in  heaven,  and  like- 
wise among  men  in  the  world,  thus  that  He  perceives, 
sees,  and  cognizes  their  evils  and  falsities  from  the  good 
and  the  truth  in  which  He  is,  and  which  in  their  essence 
are  himself.     Compare  Amos  ix.  2.  T.  62. 

11,  12.  Darkness  also  signifies  natural  light,  for  this  com- 
pared to  spiritual  light  is  as  darkness.  E.  526. 

By  these  words  is  signified  that  the  natural  man  is  en- 
lightened by  the  Lord  equally  as  the  spiritual.  Natural 
light  is  signified  by  darkness  and  night,  and  spiritual  light 
by  light  and  day.  E.  527. 

Enlightenment  in  the  natural  is  from  Him.  P.  P. 

12,  13,  15.  Falsities  are  signified  by  darkness,  and  truths 
by  light,  to  possess  the  reins  is  to  know  the  falsities  and 
truths  pertaining  to  man.  E.  167. 

13,  See  Psalm  vii.  10.  A.  5385. 
See  Psalm  vii.  10.  A.  10032. 
See  Psalm  xxii.  n.  E.  622. 
By  possessing  the  reins  is  signified  to  purify  truths  from 

falses,  and  by  covering  in  the  mother's  belly  —  to  defend 
from  the  falses  of  evil  which  are  from  hell,  and  this  from 
the  beginning  of  regeneration  and  afterwards  continually. 

E.  710. 
13-15.     By  Him  He  was  formed  and  from  Him  He  is  pure. 

P.  P. 
I3>  !5-     See  Psalm  vii.  10.  R.  140. 

15,  16.  See  Psalm  lxix.  29.  R.  256. 
By  all  the  days  here  said  to  be  written  in  the  book  are 

understood  all  the  states  of  man's  life.  E.  199. 

See  Psalm  lxix.  29.  E.  222. 

16.  By  the  written  book  is  meant  the  presence  of  the  acts 
of  every  one.  A.  8620. 

16-18.      Hence  all  things  of  the    Father  are   united  with 

Him.  P.  P. 

19-22.     The  Lord  rejects  all  evil  and  falsity  from  himself. 

P.  P. 


PSALM   CXL.  489 

23,  24.     Perfection  belongs  to  Him.  P.  P. 

24.  "Lead  me  in  the  way  of  an  age."  An  age  signifies 
what  is  eternal,  since  it  is  said  of  the  Lord,  and  of  His 
kingdom,  and  of  heavens  and  of  the  life  there  of  which 
there  is  no  end.  A.  10248. 


PSALM  CXL. 

For  the  Chief  Musician.     A  Psalm  of  David. 

1.  Deliver  me,  0  Jehovah,  from  the  evil  man; 
Preserve  me  from  the  violent  man : 

2.  Who  devise  mischiefs  in  their  heart; 

Continually  do  they  gather  themselves  together  for 
war. 

3.  They  have  sharpened  their  tongue  like  a  serpent; 
Adders'  poison  is  under  their  lips.  [Selah 

4.  Keep  me,  O  Jehovah,  from  the  hands  of  the  wicked; 
Preserve  me  from  the  violent  man: 

Who  have  purposed  to  thrust  aside  my  steps. 

5.  The  proud  have  hid  a  snare  from  me,  and  cords; 
They  have  spread  a  net  by  the  wayside; 

They  have  set  gins  for  me.  [Selah 

6.  I  said  unto  Jehovah,  Thou  art  my  God: 

Give  ear  unto  the  voice  of  my  supplications,  O  Jehovah. 

7.  O  Jehovah  the  Lord,  the  strength  of  my  salvation, 
Thou  hast  covered  my  head  in  the  day  of  battle. 

8.  Grant  not,  O  Jehovah,  the  desires  of  the  wicked; 
Further  not  his  evil  device,  lest  they  exalt  themselves. 

[Selah 

9.  As  for  the  head  of  those  that  compass  me  about, 
Let  the  mischief  of  their  own  lips  cover  them. 

10.  Let  burning  coals  fall  upon  them: 
Let  them  be  cast  into  the  fire, 

Into  deep  pits,  whence  they  shall  not  rise. 

11.  An  evil  speaker  shall  not  be  established  in  the  earth: 
Evil  shall  hunt  the  violent  man  to  overthrow  him. 


490  PSALM   CXL. 

12.  I  know  that  Jehovah  will  maintain  the  cause  of  the 

afflicted, 
And  iustice  for  the  needy. 

13.  Surely  the  righteous  shall  give  thanks  unto  thy  name: 
The  upright  shall  dwell  in  thy  presence. 


Psalm  CXL. 

1-9.  Prayer  of  the  Lord  to  the  Father  to  be  delivered  from 
falsifiers  and  hypocrites,  who  purpose  evil  against  Him 
in  the  perverted  church.  P.  P. 

2-4.     See  Psalm  xxiv.  8.  R.  500. 

By  the  evil  man  and  the  man  of  violences  are  signified 
those  who  pervert  the  truths  of  the  Word.  He  is  called 
a  man  of  violences  who  from  wicked  intentions  does  this. 
Such  wicked  intention  is  further  described  by  thinking 
evils  in  the  heart,  and  the  perversion  of  the  truths  of  the 
Word  by  gathering  themselves  together  all  the  day  for 
war,  the  ratiocinations  by  which  they  prevail  are  signified 
by  war,  wherefore  also  it  is  added  —  see  verse  4.    E.  734. 

2-5,  12.  A  man  of  violence  stands  for  those  who  destroy 
the  truths  of  faith  and  the  goods  of  charity.  Their  fight- 
ing against  those  truths  and  goods  is  described  by  verses 
3,  4  and  12.  A.  6353. 

3,  4.     See  Psalm  lviii.  3,  5.  A.  9013. 

4.  By  these  words  is  signified  their  subtle  and  treacherous 
deception  —  the  evil  are  spoken  of.  E.  581. 

4-6.     Those  are  meant  who  lead  men  astray  by  reasonings. 

A.  195. 

6.     See  Psalm  xvi.  6.  A.  9854. 

10-12.  By  these  words  truth  falsified  is  described,  which 
in  itself  is  falsity;  by  the  mischief  of  their  lips  is  signified 
the  falsity  of  doctrine  thence  derived,  for  lips  signify 
doctrine.  By  burning  coals  falling  on  them,  and  by  the 
fire  into  which  they  are  to  be  cast  and  the  deep  pits  are 
signified  the  pride  of  self-derived  intelligence,  and  the 


PSALM   CXLI. 


491 


love  of  self  by  which  they  fall  into  mere  falsities.  .  .  . 

Hence  it  is  evident  what  is  meant  by  verse  12,  namely, 

a  false  religion.  E.  455. 

They  perish  through  their  falsities  and  evils.       •  P.  P. 

11.  See  Psalm  xxi.  10.  E.  504. 

12.  This  is  said  of  the  impious  who  persuade  by  falsities, 
think  evil,  and  talk  blandly  for  the  purpose  of  deceiving, 
tongue  here  stands  for  falsehood.  A.  11 78. 

By  tongues  in  the  opposite  sense  false  doctrines  are 
signified.  The  tongue  as  an  organ  signifies  doctrine, 
and  as  speech  it  signifies  also  religion.  R.  282. 

13.  See  Psalm  ix.  19.  R.  209. 
See  Psalm  ix.  19.  E.  238. 

13,  14.     And  those  who  confess  the  Lord  are  saved. 

P.P. 


PSALM  CXLI. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 

1.  Jehovah,  I  have  called  upon  thee;  make  haste  unto  me: 
Give  ear  unto  my  voice,  when  I  call  unto  thee. 

2.  Let  my  prayer  be  set  forth  as  incense  before  thee; 
The  lifting  up  of  my  hands  as  the  evening  sacrifice. 

3.  Set  a  watch,  O  Jehovah,  before  my  mouth; 
Keep  the  door  of  my  lips. 

4.  Incline  not  my  heart  to  any  evil  thing, 
To  practise  deeds  of  wickedness 
With  men  that  work  iniquity: 

And  let  me  not  eat  of  their  dainties. 

5.  Let  the  righteous  smite  me,  it  shall  be  a  kindness; 
And  let  him  reprove  me,  it  shall  be  as  oil  upon  the  head; 
Let  not  my  head  refuse  it: 

For  even  in  their  wickedness  shall  my  prayer  continue. 

6.  Their  judges  are  thrown  down  by  the  sides  of  the  rock; 
And  they  shall  hear  my  words;  for  they  are  sweet. 

7.  As  when  one  ploweth  and  cleaveth  the  earth, 
Our  bones  are  scattered  at  the  mouth  of  Sheol. 


492  PSALM   CXLI. 

8.  For  mine  eyes  are  unto  thee,  O  Jehovah  the  Lord: 
In  thee  do  I  take  refuge;  leave  not  my  soul  destitute. 

9.  Keep  me  from  the  snare  which  they  have  laid  for  me, 
And  from  the  gins  of  the  workers  of  iniquity. 

10.     Let  the  wicked  fall  into  their  own  nets, 
Whilst  that  I  withal  escape. 


Psalm  CXLI. 

1,  2.  The  reason  that  the  incense  is  called  the  prayer  of 
the  saints  is  because  fragrant  odours  correspond  to  af- 
fections for  good  and  truth.  It  is  from  this  that  a  grateful 
odour,  and  an  odour  of  rest  to  Jehovah  are  so  many  times 
mentioned  in  the  Word.  See  Exodus  xxix.  18,  25,  41. 
Leviticus  i.  9,  13,  17,  etc.  R.  278. 

Worship  from  spiritual  good  being  signified  by  in- 
cense, and  from  celestial  good  by  a  pure  offering,  that  a 
meat  offering  signified  that  good  can  be  seen  from  A. 
4581,  10079,  10137.  E.  324. 

Prayer  of  the  Lord  to  the  Father  to  have  regard  to 
His  perfection.  P.  P. 

1-5.  Prayers  are  called  incense,  and  the  lifting  up  of  the 
hands  is  called  the  evening  sacrifice.  The  reason  is 
because  by  prayers  is  signified,  the  same  as  by  incense, 
and  by  the  lifting  up  of  hands  the  same  as  by  the  evening 
sacrifice.  By  incense  is  meant  spiritual  good,  or  the 
good  of  charity  to  the  neighbour.  By  the  evening  sacri- 
fice or  meat  offering  is  signified  celestial  good,  or  the  good 
of  love  to  the  Lord,  thus  both  signify  worship.  Be- 
cause prayers  proceed  not  from  the  mouth,  but  from  the 
heart  by  the  mouth,  and  all  worship  which  is  from  the 
heart  is  from  the  good  of  love  and  charity,  therefore  it  is 
said  "Set  a  watch,  O  Jehovah."  See  verses  3  and  4. 
David  was  lamenting  the  prevalence  of  evils,  and  the 
calamities  which  they  bring  on  those  who  practise  them, 
hence  he  says — "for  my  prayer  shall  also  be  in  their 
calamity."  E.  325. 


PSALM  CXLI.  493 

2.  That  such  things  which  are  of  faith  grounded  in  the 
good  of  love  and  of  charity,  such  as  are  confessions, 
adorations,  and  prayers  are  signified  by  incense  is  mani- 
fest from  David.  A.  9475. 

The  meat  offering  of  the  evening  is  the  good  of  love  in 
the  external  man.  A.  10137. 

When  mention  is  made  of  worship,  that  holiness  is 
meant  which  is  wrought  by  prayers,  adorations,  confes- 
sions, and  the  like,  which  proceed  from  internals  that 
are  of  love  and  charity.  Those  things  constitute  the 
worship  which  is  meant  by  burning  of  incense.  A.  10177. 

By  the  smoke  of  the  incense  going  up  before  God 
is  signified  what  is  acceptable  and  grateful.  ...  In 
heaven  the  most  fragrant  odours  are  perceived,  cor- 
responding to  the  perceptions  of  the  angels  arising  from 
their  love.  R.  394- 

The  meat  offerings,  which  were  of  fine  flour  of  wheat 
were  offered  upon  the  altar  together  with  the  sacrifices. 

R.  778. 

Burnt-offering  also  signifies  worship  from  the  good  of 
celestial  love,  and  sacrifice  worship  from  the  good  of 
spiritual  love.  These  two  goods  are  also  signified  by 
meat-offering  and  incense.  E.  491. 

4,  5.  He  has  nothing  in  common  with  those  who  are  in 
evils,  because  He  is  united  with  His  Divine.  P.  P. 

6.  By  judges  are  meant  those  who  are  in  falsities,  and  in 
an  abstract  sense  the  falsities  of  the  thought  and  of  doc- 
trine. By  judges  in  the  Word  is  signified  the  same  as  by 
judgment,  and  judgments  signify  the  truths  according  to 
which  judgments  are  made,  and  in  the  opposite  sense 
they  signify  falsities.  Since  they  who  are  in  falsities  in  the 
spiritual  world  dwell  in  rocks,  it  is  therefore  said  of  them 
here  that  they  are  cast  down  in  rocky  places,  meaning 
that  they  are  let  into  their  falsities,  and  dwell  in  hells 
corresponding  to  them.  E.  411. 

6,  7.  His  words,  which  are  Divine,  are  of  no  account  with 
them.  P.  P- 


494  PSALM   CXLII. 

8-10.     Confidence  that  their  evil  thoughts  and  intentions 

by  which  they  themselves  perish,  do  no  harm.       P.  P. 

9,  io.     See  Psalm    xi.  6.  A.  9348. 


PSALM  CXLII. 

Maschil  of  David,  when  he  was  in  the  cave;  a  Prayer. 

i.     I  cry  with  my  voice  unto  Jehovah; 

With  my  voice  unto  Jehovah  do  I  make  supplication. 

2.  I  pour  out  my  complaint  before  him; 
I  show  before  him  my  trouble. 

3.  When  my  spirit  was  overwhelmed  within  me, 
Thou  knewest  my  path. 

In  the  way  wherein  I  walk 
Have  they  hidden  a  snare  for  me. 

4.  Look  on  my  right  hand,  and  see;  . 
For  there  is  no  man  that  knoweth  me : 
Refuge  hath  failed  me; 

No  man  careth  for  my  soul. 

5.  I  cried  unto  thee,  O  Jehovah; 
I  said,  Thou  art  my  refuge, 

My  portion  in  the  land  of  the  living. 

6.  Attend  unto  my  cry; 

For  I  am  brought  very  low: 
Deliver  me  from  my  persecutors; 
For  they  are  stronger  than  I. 

7.  Bring  my  soul  out  of  prison, 

That  I  may  give  thanks  unto  thy  name: 
The  righteous  shall  compass  me  about; 
For  thou  wilt  deal  bountifully  with  me. 


PSALM   CXLIII. 


Psalm  CXLII. 


495 


1-4.     Prayer  of  the  Lord  to  the  Father,  to  give  help  in 
temptations.  P.  P. 

4.  See  Psalm  xxxii.  2.  L.  48. 

5,  6.     Because  He  is  known  by  no  one  except  the  Father 
only,  in  whom  is  His  trust.  P.  P. 

6.  See  Psalm  Hi.  7.  A.  290. 
Salvation  is  called  life  eternal,  for  the  same  reason 

heaven  is  called  the  land  of  the  living.  E.  186. 

7,  8.     May  He  be  delivered  from  temptations  and  come 
among  those  who  acknowledge  Him.  P.  P. 


PSALM  CXLIII. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 


i.     Hear  my  prayer,  O  Jehovah;  give  ear  to  my  suppli- 
cations : 
In  thy  faithfulness  answer  me,  and  in  thy  righteousness. 

2.  And  enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy  servant; 
For  in  thy  sight  no  man  living  is  righteous. 

3.  For  the  enemy  hath  persecuted  my  soul; 

He  hath  smitten  my  life  down  to  the  ground: 
He  hath  made  me  to  dwell  in  dark  places,  as  those  that 
have  been  long  dead. 

4.  Therefore  is  my  spirit  overwhelmed  within  me; 
My  heart  within  me  is  desolate. 

5.  I  remember  the  days  of  old; 
I  meditate  on  all  thy  doings; 

I  muse  on  the  work  of  thy  hands. 

6.  I  spread  forth  my  hands  unto  thee: 

My  soul  thirsteth  after  thee,  as  a  weary  land.         TSelah 

7.  Make  haste  to  answer  me,  O  Jehovah;  my  spirit  faileth : 
Hide  not  thy  face  from  me, 

Lest  I  become  like  them  that  go  down  into  the  pit. 


496  PSALM   CXLIII. 

8.  Cause  me  to  hear  thy  lovingkindness  in  the  morning; 
For  in  thee  do  I  trust: 

Cause  me  10  know  the  way  wherein  I  should  walk; 
For  I  lift  up  my  soul  unto  thee. 

9.  Deliver  me,  O  Jehovah,  from  mine  enemies: 
I  flee  unto  thee  to  hide  me. 

10.  Teach  me  to  do  thy  will; 
For  thou  art  my  God: 
Thy  Spirit  is  good; 

Lead  me  in  the  land  of  uprightness. 

11.  Quicken  me,  O  Jehovah,  for  thy  name's  sake: 

In  thy  righteousness  bring  my  soul  out  of  trouble. 

12.  And  in  thy  lovingkindness  cut  off  mine  enemies, 
And  destroy  all  them  that  afflict  my  soul; 

For  I  am  thy  servant. 


Psalm  CXLIII. 

1.     See  Psalm  xvii.  6. 

A.  3869. 

1,  2.     Prayer  of  the  Lord  to  the  Father, 

that  He  who  is 

true  and  just  may  hear. 

P.  P. 

3.     See  Psalm  cii.  21. 

R.  525. 

See  Psalm  cii.  21. 

1.  10. 

See  Psalm  vi.  6. 

E.  186. 

By  the  enemy  who  persecuted  his  soul,  in  the  spiritual 
sense  is  signified  evil,  therefore  by  his  being  made  to  dwell 
in  darkness  is  signified  being  in  falsities.  E.  526 

3,  4,  7.     That  he  may  not  fail  in  temptations.  P.  P 

4,  See  Psalm  xxxii.  2  first  clause.     Add:  here  life  in  pain 
fear  and  anger.  L.  48 

5,  6.     He  longs  for  the  ancient  state  in  respect  to  the  church 

P.  P 

7.     A  pit  signifies  falsities.  A.  4728 

See  Psalm  xxxii.  2.  A.  9818 

See  Psalm  xiii.  2.  R.  939 

See  Psalm  xiii.  2.  E.  412 

7,  8.     See  Psalm  xiii.  2.  A.  5585 


PSALM   CXLIV.  497 

8.         See  Psalm  lxiii.  2.  E.  179. 

8,  9.  Because  morning  signifies  the  beginning  of  enlighten- 
ment and  salvation  with  regard  to  the  good,  and  the  be- 
ginning of  thick  darkness  and  destruction  with  regard 
to  the  evil,  therefore  it  is  said  in  Exodus  xiv.  24,  that 
Jehovah  in  the  morning  watch  looked  forth  upon  the 
host  of  the  Egyptians  and  discomfited  it.  A.  821 1. 

8-12.  He  has  confidence  of  being  delivered  from  the  hells, 
by  which  He  is  assaulted  mightily.  P.  P. 

10.     See  Psalm  xl.  9.  E.  295. 

Here  the  land  of  uprightness  stands  for  the  church, 
in  which  is  what  is  right  and  true,  and  because  the  spirit 
of  Jehovah  signifies  the  Divine  truth,  and  every  one 
thereby  receives  spiritual  life,  it  is  therefore  said:  thy 
spirit  is  good,  lead  me,  and  O,  Jehovah,  quicken  me. 

E.  304. 


PSALM  CXLIV. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 


i.     Blessed  be  Jehovah,  my  rock, 
Who  teacheth  my  hands  to  war, 
And  my  fingers  to  fight: 

2.  My  lovingkindness,  and  my  fortress, 
My  high  tower,  and  my  deliverer; 

My  shield,  and  he  in  whom  I  take  refuge; 
Who  subdueth  my  people  under  me. 

3.  Jehovah,  what  is  man,  that  thou  takest  knowledge  of 

him? 
Or  the  son  of  man,  that  thou  makest  account  of  him  ? 

4.  Man  is  like  to  vanity: 

His  days  are  as  a  shadow  that  passeth  away. 

5.  Bow  thy  heavens,  O  Jehovah,  and  come  down: 
Touch  the  mountains,  and  they  shall  smoke. 

6.  Cast  forth  lightning,  and  scatter  them; 
Send  out  thine  arrows,  and  discomfit  them. 


498  PSALM   CXLIV. 

7.  Stretch  forth  thy  hand  from  above; 

Rescue  me,  and  deliver  me  out  of  great  waters, 
Out  of  the  hand  of  aliens; 

8.  Whose  mouth  speaketh  deceit, 

And  whose  right  hand  is  a  right  hand  of  falsehood. 

9.  I  will  sing  a  new  song  unto  thee,  O  God: 

Upon  a  psaltery  of  ten  strings  will  I  sing  praises  unto 
thee. 

10.  Thou  art  he  that  giveth  salvation  unto  kings; 

Who  rescueth  David  his  servant  from  the  hurtful  sword. 

1 1 .  Rescue  me,  and  deliver  me  out  of  the  hand  of  aliens, 
Whose  mouth  speaketh  deceit, 

And  whose  right  hand  is  a  right  hand  of  falsehood. 

12.  When  our  sons  shall  be  as  plants  grown  up  in  their 

youth, 
And  our  daughters  as  corner-stones  hewn  after  the 
fashion  of  a  palace; 

13.  When  our  garners  are  full,  affording  all  manner  of  store, 
And  our  sheep  bring  forth  thousands  and  ten  thousands 

in  our  fields; 

14.  When  our  oxen  are  well  laden; 

When  there  is  no  breaking  in,  and  no  going  forth, 
And  no  outcry  in  our  streets: 

15.  Happy  is  the  people  that  is  in  such  a  case; 
Yea,  happy  is  the  people  whose  God  is  Jehovah. 

Psalm  CXLIV. 

1.      See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  A.  1096. 

See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  A.  1422. 

Power  is  signified  by  finger.  A.  7430. 

As  the  thumb  so  also  the  fingers  signify  power.   A.  10062. 

See  Psalm  xxviii.  6.  R.  289. 

1,  2.     The  combat  and  war  are  those  of  temptations,  and 

here  in  the  internal  sense  the  Lord's  temptations.     The 

shield  with  reference  to  Jehovah  is  protection,  and  with 

reference  to  man  trust.  A.  1788. 

To  the  Father  that  He  may  be  a  help  to  Him  in  His 
combats.  P.  P. 


psalm  cxliv.  499 

3,  4.     For  without  Him  He  has  no  power.  P.  P. 

5.     See  Psalm  xviii.  9,  10.  E.  539. 

5,  6.  To  come  down  is  predicated  of  Jehovah,  because 
the  highest  is  predicated  of  Him,  or  he  is  said  to  be  in 
the  highest  —  and  this  too  according  to  the  appearance, 
for  He  is  not  in  things  highest,  but  in  those  which  are 
inmost.  For  that  reason  highest  and  inmost  in  the  Word 
signify  the  same  —  while  the  judgment  itself  or  the  pun- 
ishment of  evil  is  manifested  in  the  lower  and  lowest 
things.  A.  131 1. 

By  Jehovah  bowing  the  heavens  and  coming  down  is 
signified  visitation  and  judgment.  Touch  the  moun- 
tains that  they  may  smoke  means  to  destroy  those  by  His 
presence  who  are  in  evils  of  the  loves  of  self  and  of  the 
world.  By  cast  forth  lightning  and  scatter  them  is 
signified  the  Divine  truth  by  which  they  are  dissipated, 
for  by  the  presence  of  Divine  truth  evils  and  falsities  are 
discovered,  and  by  the  collision  which  then  takes  place 
there  appear  as  if  it  were  lightnings.  E.  405. 

5-8,  11.  O  that  He  may  be  delivered  from  the  hells  which 
assault  Him  with  falsities.  P.  P. 

6,  See  Psalm  xviii.  By  darting  thunderbolts  and  by 
arrows  are  signified  Divine  truths,  and  by  lightning  their 
light.  As  these  vivify  and  illumine  the  good,  so  they 
affright  and  blind  the  wicked.  This  is  understood  by 
sending  arrows  and  scattering  them,  for  the  evil  can- 
not bear  Divine  truth,  nor  any  light  at  all  from  heaven, 
wherefore  they  flee  from  their  presence.  E.  273. 

7,  8.  Great  waters  here  manifestly  stand  for  falsities,  the 
sons  of  the  stranger  also  signify  falsities.  A.  790. 

7,  8,  11.  The  sons  of  the  stranger  stands  for  falses  and 
those  who  are  in  falses,  vanity  is  falsity  of  doctrine,  and 
a  lie  is  the  false  of  life.  A.  10287. 

7-9.     Vanity  stands  for  the  false  of  doctrine  and  of  religion. 

A.  9248. 

8,  11.     The  reason  why  the  right  hand,  when  predicated  of 


500  PSALM   CXLIV. 

8  the  evil,  signifies  what  is  false,  and  thus  reasoning  and 
combat  against  truth,  is  because  the  quarters  of  those 
who  are  in  evil  are  opposite  to  the  quarters  which  are 
with  those  who  are  in  good,  so  that  to  the  right  of  the  evil 
truths  are  in  dense  darkness,  but  falsities,  as  it  were,  in 
the  greatest  light.  E.  298. 

9,  10.     Thus  He  would  have  salvation.  P.  P. 

11,  12.  Sons  of  the  stranger  stand  for  spurious  or  false 
truths,  our  sons  for  teachings  of  truth,  our  daughters  for 
teachings  of  good.  A.  489. 

They  who  are  in  truths  of  doctrine  from  the  Word, 
and  abstractly  the  truths  themselves  are  meant  by  sons; 
the  affection  for  the  truths  of  the  church,  and  thus  the 
church  as  to  that  affection  is  signified  by  a  daughter. 

R-  543- 
By  sons  of  the  stranger  are  here  understood  falses,  for 
it  is  said  whose  mouth  speaketh  vanity  and  their  right  hand 
is  the  hand  of  a  lie.  By  our  sons  are  signified  truths, 
plants  also  standing  for  truths,  and  youth  for  the  ancient 
church,  which  was  in  genuine  truths.  By  our  daughters 
are  signified  the  affection  for  truth,  which  are  therefore 
compared  to  "corners  cut  out  in  the  likeness  of  a  palace." 
Palace  represents  the  understanding  in  which  truths  are 
in  beautiful  form,  and  they  are  in  beautiful  form,  when 
they  are  from  the  affection  for  truth.  E.  724. 

12,  14.  And  thus  would  Divine  truth  and  Divine  good  be 
His  and  from  Him.  P.  P. 

13,  A  thousand,  and  ten  thousand,  or  a  myriad,  stand  for 
innumerable.  A.  2575. 

See  Psalm  lxviii.  18.  A.  8715. 

See  Psalm  lxviii.  18.  R.  287. 

Streets  signify  the  truths  or  falsities  of  doctrine.  R.  501. 

By  garner  and  by  all  manner  of  store,  or  food,  are  sig- 
nified the  goods  and  truths  of  the  church,  for  spiritual 
food  consists  of  the  knowledge  of  truth  and  good,  by 
which  intelligence  is  acquired.     Similar  things  but  of  an 


PSALM   CXLV. 


501 


interior  nature  are  signified  by  flocks,  wherefore  the 
goods  of  the  church  are  understood  by  thousands,  and 
truths  by  myriads.  By  the  streets  of  a  city  are  understood 
truths  of  doctrine.  E.  336. 

13,  14.  The  ancient  church  is  described  such  as  it  was  in 
its  youth.  The  food,  of  which  the  garners  were  full, 
stands  for  spiritual  food,  that  is,  truth  and  good.  Flocks 
and  oxen  —  internal  and  external  goods.  "  There  is  no 
breaking"  means  that  truth  is  not  infracted  or  broken 
through  by  separation  from  good.  A.  4926. 

By  the  gamers  full  of  food  are  signified  doctrines  from 
the  Word,  thus  the  Word  itself  wherein  are  all  the  truths 
of  doctrine  from  which  is  instruction  and  spiritual  nour- 
ishment. By  the  flocks  being  thousands  and  ten  thou- 
sands in  the  streets  are  signified  goods  and  truths  spiritual 
—  thousands  goods,  and  ten-thousands  truths.  By  oxen 
burdened  are  signified  natural  truths  and  their  affections, 
by  no  breach  is  signified  their  coherence,  by  none  flying 
away  —  no  loss  of  any.  By  no  clamour  in  the  streets  is 
signified  no  lamentations  anywhere  over  the  want  of  them. 

E.  652. 

13,  15.     See  Psalm  civ.  27,  28.  A.  5147. 

15.     Happy  is  He  who  acknowledges  Him.  P.  P. 


PSALM  CXLV. 

A  Psalm  0}  praise;  of  David. 

I  will  extol  thee,  my  God,  O  King; 

And  I  will  bless  thy  name  for  ever  and  ever. 

Every  day  will  I  bless  thee; 

And  I  will  praise  thy  name  for  ever  and  ever. 

Great  is  Jehovah,  and  greatly  to  be  praised; 

And  his  greatness  is  unsearchable. 

One  generation  shall  laud  thy  works  to  another, 

And  shall  declare  thy  mighty  acts. 


502  PSALM    CXLV. 

5.  Of  the  glorious  majesty  of  thine  honor, 
And  of  thy  wondrous  works,  will  I  meditate. 

6.  And  men  shall  speak  of  the  might  of  thy  terrible  acts; 
And  I  will  declare  thy  greatness. 

7.  They  shall  utter  the  memory  of  thy  great  goodness, 
And  shall  sing  of  thy  righteousness. 

8.  Jehovah  is  gracious,  and  merciful; 

Slow  to  anger,  and  of  great  lovingkindness. 

9.  Jehovah  is  good  to  all; 

And  his  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his  works. 

10.  All  thy  works  shall  give  thanks  unto  thee,  O  Jehovah; 
And  thy  saints  shall  bless  thee. 

11.  They  shall  speak  of  the  glory  of  thy  kingdom, 
And  talk  of  thy  power; 

12.  To  make  known  to  the  sons  of  men  his  mighty  acts, 
And  the  glory  of  the  majesty  of  his  kingdom. 

13.  Thy  kingdom  is  an  everlasting  kingdom, 

And  thy  dominion  endureth  throughout  all  generations. 

14.  Jehovah  upholdeth  all  that  fall, 

And  raised  up  all  those  that  are  bowed  down. 

15.  The  eyes  of  all  wait  for  thee; 

And  thou  giveth  them  their  food  in  due  season. 

16.  Thou  openest  thy  hand, 

And  satisfiest  the  desire  of  every  living  thing. 

17.  Jehovah  is  righteous  in  all  his  ways, 
And  gracious  in  all  his  works. 

18.  Jehovah  is  nigh  unto  all  them  that  call  upon  him, 
To  all  that  call  upon  him  in  truth. 

19.  He  will  fulfil  the  desire  of  them  that  fear  him; 
He  also  will  hear  their  cry,  and  will  save  them. 

20.  Jehovah  preserveth  all  them  that  love  him; 
But  all  the  wicked  will  he  destroy. 

21.  My  mouth  shall  speak  the  praise  of  Jehovah; 

And  let  all  flesh  bless  his  holy  name  for  ever  and  ever. 


PSALM   CXLV. 


Psalm  CXLV. 


5°3 


1-7.     Celebration  of  the  Lord  because  of  His  works  and 
His  justice.  P.  P. 

2,  4.     See  Psalm  xxxiii.  11.  A.  9789. 

4,  5,  12.     See  Psalm  viii.  6.  R.  249. 

Treats  concerning  the  Lord.  "The  glorious  honour 
of  thy  majesty"  stands  for  the  Divine  good,  united  to  the 
Divine  truth,  "the  glorious  majesty  of  His  kingdom," 
the  Divine  truth  united  to  the  Divine  good.  The  reason 
of  this  form  of  expression  is  that  the  union  is  reciprocal. 
From  the  Lord  the  Divine  good  proceeds  united  to  the 
Divine  truth,  but  by  the  angels  in  heaven,  and  by  men 
of  the  church  Divine  truth  is  received,  and  is  united  to 
Divine  good.  E.  288. 

8.      See  Psalm  ciii.  8.  A.  598. 

See  Psalm  vi.  2.  A.  8286. 

See  Psalm  ciii.  8.  A.  10577. 

8,  9.     Because  of  His  mercy.  P.  P. 

10-12.     All  who  are  in  the  heavens  will  confess  Him.  P.  P. 
13.     Reigning  refers  to  truth  which  is  of  the  understanding, 
having  dominion  to  good  which  is  of  the  will.     A.  4691. 
Eternity  is  predicated  of  what  is  celestial,  and  gener- 
ation of  what  is  spiritual.  A.  6239. 
See  Psalm  x.  16.                                                 A.  10248. 
Rule  or  dominion  is  predicated  of  good,  and  to  reign 
of  truth,  for  the  Lord  is  called  Lord  from  Divine  good, 
and  King  from  Divine  truth.  E.  685. 
Because  His  kingdom  is  eternal.  P.  P. 
14-16.     He  raises  up  sinners,  and  leads  them  into  truths 
that  they  may  live.                                                        P.  P. 
16.     By  opening  the  hand  is  signified  to  endow  with  good, 
by  satisfying  the  desire  of  every  living  thing  is  signified, 
from  love  to  enrich  with  Divine  truth  all  who  receive  life 
from  Him.                                                                 E.  295. 


504  PSALM   CXLV. 

17.  He  is  Divine  truth.  P.  P. 

18.  To  be  near  means  to  be  present  and  conjoined. 

A.  9378. 
18, 19.      The  Lord  is  nigh  to  all  them  that  call  upon  Him 

and  will  hear  their  cry.  D.  P.,  Page  78. 

18-20.     He  saves  those  who  believe  in  Him,  and  those  who 

do  not  believe  perish.  P.  P. 

21.     He  is  to  be  worshipped.  P.  P. 


PSALM  CXLVI. 


1.  Praise  ye,  Jehovah. 
Praise  Jehovah,  O  my  soul. 

2.  While  I  live  will  I  praise  Jehovah: 

I  will  sing  praises  unto  my  God  while  I  have  any  being. 

3.  Put  not  your  trust  in  princes, 

Nor  in  the  son  of  man,  in  whom  there  is  no  help. 

4.  His  breath  goeth  forth,  he  returneth  to  his  earth; 
In  that  very  day  his  thoughts  perish. 

5.  Happy  is  he  that  hath  the  God  of  Jacob  for  his  help, 
Whose  hope  is  in  Jehovah  his  God: 

6.  Who  made  heaven  and  earth, 

'  The  sea,  and  all  that  in  them  is; 
Who  keepeth  truth  for  ever; 

7.  Who  executeth  justice  for  the  oppressed; 
Who  giveth  food  to  the  hungry. 
Jehovah  looseth  the  prisoners; 

8.  Jehovah  openeth  the  eyes  of  the  blind; 
Jehovah  raiseth  up  them  that  are  bowed  down; 
Jehovah  loveth  the  righteous; 

9.  Jehovah  preserveth  the  sojourners; 

He  upholdeth  the  fatherless  and  widow; 
But  the  way  of  the  wicked  he  turneth  upside  down. 
10.     Jehovah  will  reign  for  ever, 

Thy  God,  O  Zion,  unto  all  generations. 
Praise  ye  Jehovah. 


PSALM   CXLVI. 


Psalm  CXLVI. 


505 


1,  2.     Celebration  of  the  Lord.  P.  P. 

3.     Princes  stand  for  primary  truths,  thus  in  the  opposite 

sense  primary  falses,  and  the  son  of  man  is  the  false  itself 

A.  9807 
The  foregoing  statement  repeated  in:  E„  63 

3.  4.     Man  from  his  own  is  nothing.  P.  P 

4.  By  the  spirit  is  meant  the  life  of  man.  L.  47 
Spirit  here  means  life  in  fear,  pain,  and  anger.    L.  48 

5.  The  God  of  Jacob  is  the  Lord.  A.  3305 
5,  6.     Happy  is  he  who  trusts  in  the  Lord  who  is  the  God 

of  heaven  and  earth.  P.  P 

7.     See  Psalm  lxviii.  7.  R.  99 

See  Psalm  xxxiii.  18,  19.  R.  323 

By  the  oppressed  are  here  understood  those  who  are  in 

falsities   from   ignorance.     The   oppression   which   they 

suffer  is  from  spirits  who  are  in  falsities,  wherefore  it  is 

said:  Jehovah  executeth  judgment  for  them,  that  is  to 

free  them  from  those  that  oppress.     By  the  hungry  are 

understood  those  who  desire  goods,  and  since  the  Lord 

nourishes  them,  it  is  said:  Jehovah  giveth  food  to  the 

hungry.     By  the  prisoners,  or  those  that  are  bound,  are 

understood  those  who  desire  truth,  but  are  kept  away 

from  them  by  the  falsity  of  doctrine  or  by  ignorance,  in 

consequence  of  their  not  having  the  Word.     To  loose 

here  means  to  liberate  them.  E.  386. 

7,  8.     They  are  called  prisoners  who  are  in  falsities,  and 

desire  to  be  loosened  from  them,  the  blind  are  they  who 

thence  are  without  the  understanding  of  truth,  to  open 

their  eyes  is  to  make  them  understand.  E.  239. 

7-9.     By   the   oppressed,   the   hungry,   the  prisoners,  the 

blind,   the  bowed    down,  the    strangers,  the  fatherless, 

and  the  widows  are  not  meant  those  who  are  commonly 

so  called,  but  those  who  are  such  as  to  spiritual  things, 

or  as  to  their  souls.  A.  3419. 


506  PSALM   CXLVI. 

7  Here  in  the  internal  sense  those  are  meant  who  are  in- 
structed in  truths  and  led  to  good  by  the  Lord.  Some  of 
these  are  called  the  oppressed,  some  the  hungry,  others 
the  bound,  the  blind,  the  bowed  down,  the  strangers, 
the  fatherless,  the  widows,  and  this  according  to  their 
quality.     See  also  Psalm  lxviii.  6.  A.  4844. 

The  prisoners  stand  for  those  who  are  in  vastation, 
and  in  temptations  on  account  of  falsities.  A.  5037. 

The  sojourner,  the  widow,  the  orphan  —  when  the 
three  are  grouped  together  —  fall  with  the  angels  into 
one  sense,  namely,  that  with  those  who  are  in  the  church 
good  and  truth  ought  to  be  conjoined  according  to  order, 
thus  reciprocally.  A.  9200. 

See  Psalm  lxviii.  6.  R.  764. 

Who  teaches  and  leads  all  who  are  in  falsities  from 
ignorance,  and  who  desire  truths.  P.  P. 

9.  Orphans,  those  who  are  without  father.  In  the  in- 
ternal sense  those  who  are  in  a  state  of  innocence  and 
charity,  and  desire  to  know  and  to  do  good,  and  are 
not  able.  Sojourners  those  who  are  being  instructed 
in  goods  and  truths,  widows  who  are  in  a  state  of  good 
and  not  so  much  in  truth.  A.  3703. 

See  Psalm  lxviii.  6.  E.  1121. 

10.  See  Psalm  xciii.  1.  A.  8331. 
By  Mount  Zion  is  signified  heaven  and  the  church 

where  the  Lord  reigneth.  R.  612. 

See  Psalm  xlviii.  3,4.  E.  850. 

He  reigns  to  eternity.  P.  P. 

Verse  quoted.  D.  P.,  Page  63. 


PSALM   CXLVII.  507 


PSALM  CXLVII. 

1.  Praise  ye  Jehovah; 

For  it  is  good  to  sing  praises  unto  our  God; 
For  it  is  pleasant,  and  praise  is  comely. 

2.  Jehovah  doth  build  up  Jerusalem; 

He  gathereth  together  the  outcasts  of  Israel. 

3.  He  healeth  the  broken  in  heart, 
And  bindeth  up  their  wounds. 

4.  He  counteth  the  number  of  the  stars; 
He  calleth  them  all  by  their  names. 

5.  Great  is  our  Lord,  and  mighty  in  power; 
His  understanding  is  infinite. 

6.  Jehovah  upholdeth  the  meek: 

He  bringeth  the  wicked  down  to  the  ground. 

7.  Sing  unto  Jehovah  with  thanksgiving; 
Sing  praises  upon  the  harp  unto  our  God, 

8.  Who  covereth  the  heavens  with  clouds, 
Who  prepareth  rain  for  the  earth, 

Who  maketh  grass  to  grow  upon  the  mountains. 

9.  He  giveth  to  the  beast  his  food, 
And  to  the  young  ravens  which  cry. 

10.  He  delighteth  not  in  the  strength  of  the  horse: 
He  taketh  no  pleasure  in  the  legs  of  a  man. 

11.  Jehovah  taketh  pleasure  in  them  that  fear  him, 
In  those  that  hope  in  his  lovingkindness. 

12.  Praise  Jehovah,  O  Jerusalem; 
Praise  thy  God,  O  Zion. 

13.  For  he  hath  strengthened  the  bars  of  thy  gates; 
He  hath  blessed  thy  children  within  thee. 

14.  He  maketh  peace  in  thy  borders; 

He  filleth  thee  with  the  finest  of  the  wheat. 

15.  He  sendeth  out  his  commandment  upon  earth; 
His  word  runneth  very  swiftly. 

16.  He  giveth  snow  like  wool; 

He  scattereth  the  hoar-frost  like  ashes. 

17.  He  casteth  forth  his  ice  like  morsels: 
Who  can  stand  before  his  cold  ? 


508  PSALM   CXLVII. 

1 8.  He  sendeth  out  his  word,  and  mclteth  them: 

He  causeth  his  wind  to  blow,  and  the  waters  flow. 

19.  He  showeth  his  word  unto  Jacob, 

His  statutes  and  his  ordinances  unto  Israel. 

20.  He  hath  not  dealt  so  with  any  nation; 

And  as  for  his  ordinances,  they  have  not  known  them. 
Praise  ye  Jehovah. 


Psalm  CXLVII. 

I,  2,  7.     Celebration  of  the  Lord  by  His  church.         P.  P. 

3.     Stars  signify  the  knowledges  of  good  and  truth,  also 

the  doctrinals  of  the  church.  A.  4697. 

3.  4.     Who  reforms  by  knowledges  of  truth.  P.  P. 

4.  By  numbering  is  signified  to  ordain  and  to  arrange. 
Stars  the  truths  and  goods  of  faith  and  love.        A.  102 17. 

By  stars  the  knowledges  of  good  and  truth  are  signified. 

R.  51- 

To  number  signifies  to  know  the  quality,  because  the 
number  means  the  quality  of  a  thing.  R.  364. 

The  stars  signify  the  truths  of  the  church  and  their 
knowledges.  E.  72. 

By  telling  the  number  of  the  stars,  and  by  calling  them 
all  by  name  is  signified  to  know  all  goods  and  truths,  and 
according  to  their  quality  to  dispose  them  in  heaven  and 
the  church.  E.  453. 

5.  Who  alone  is  able  to  do  this.  P.  P. 

6.  8,  9.     Who  teaches  truths  to  those  who  are  in  ignorance. 

P.P. 

7.  Thanksgiving  refers  to  celestial  things  of  faith,  and 
for  that  reason  Jehovah  is  named;  to  sing  praises  refers 
to  the  spiritual  things  of  faith,  and  therefore  God  is  named. 

A.  420. 

Singing  with  the  harp  and  other  stringed  instruments 

signifies  spiritual  things.  A.  3880. 

See  Psalm  xxxiii.  2,  3.  R.  276. 


PSALM   CXLVII.  509 

By  answering  Jehovah  confession  from  spiritual  good 
is  expressed,  by  praising  upon  the  harp  confession  from 
spiritual  truth.  E.  323. 

8.  By  the  clouds  with  which  Jehovah  is  said  to  cover  the 
heaven  are  signified  external  truths,  such  as  are  contained 
in  the  literal  sense  of  the  Word,  for  the  truths  contained 
in  that  sense  are  in  the  Word  called  clouds,  and  those 
which  are  in  the  internal  sense  are  called  glory.  By  the 
heavens  are  understood  internal  truths,  because  they 
who  are  in  the  heavens  are  in  those  truths.  By  the  rain 
which  he  prepares  for  the  earth  is  signified  the  influx  of 
truth,  the  earth  standing  for  the  church,  thence  those 
therein  who  receive  the  truth,  since  they  constitute  the 
church.  The  mountains  and  the  growing  grass  signify 
the  goods  of  love  and  those  principled  in  them.  Grass 
signifies  the  spiritual  nourishment  which  they  receive, 
for  grass  is  understood  to  be  for  beasts,  and  beasts  signify 
the  good  affections  of  the  natural  man.  E.  405. 

To  cover  the  heavens  with  clouds  signifies  to  defend 
and  keep  together  the  spiritual  things  of  the  Word,  which 
are  in  the  heavens,  by  natural  truths  such  as  are  in  the 
literal  sense  of  the  Word.  E.  594. 

8,  9.     By  grass  is  signified  scientific  truth.  E.  507. 

The  things  here  mentioned  also  signify  spiritual  things 
appertaining  to  heaven  and  the  church.  By  rain  is 
understood  influx  of  Divine  truth,  by  mountains  the  good 
of  love,  by  causing  grass  to  germinate  the  instruction  of 
the  natural  man  by  knowledges  from  the  Word,  by  beasts 
the  affections  of  the  natural  man  which  desire  to  be  thence 
nourished,  which  nourishment  is  meant  by  giving  them 
food,  by  the  sons  of  the  raven  also  natural  men  who  are 
in  semi-obscurity  arising  from  fallacies  concerning  Divine 
truths.  E.  650. 

10.     A  horse  the  understanding  of  truth  when  falsified  by 

reasonings.  W.  H. 

See  Psalm  xx.  8,  9.  R.  298. 


510  PSALM   CXLVII. 

See  Psalm  xx.  8,  9.  E.  355. 

10.  11.  The  strength  of  a  horse  stands  for  one's  own  power 
of  thinking  truth.  The  legs  of  man  for  one's  own  power 
of  doing  good.  They  that  fear  Jehovah  for  those  who 
worship  Him  from  the  love  of  truth,  and  they  that  wait 
for  His  mercy  for  them  that  worship  from  the  love  of  good. 

A.  2826. 

One's  own  intelligence  is  nothing,  but  that  which  is 

from  the  Lord  is  something.  P.  P. 

11.  See  Psalm  xxii.  24.  R.  527. 
See  Psalm  xxxiii.  8,  18.  E.  696. 

12.  Zion  stands  for  heaven  and  the  church  where  the  Lord 
alone  is  worshipped.  R.  612. 

Verse  quoted  D.  P.,  Page  63. 

12,  13.     See  Psalm  xxiv.  7,  10.  A.  2851. 

See  Psalm  lxxxvii.  2,  3.  R.  899. 

12-14.  Wheat  and  barley  signify  the  good  and  truth  of 
the  church.  R.  315. 

The  church  as  to  truths  of  doctrine  is  understood  by 
Jerusalem,  the  church  as  to  the  goods  of  love  by  Zion. 
The  borders  in  which  He  makes  peace  signify  all  things 
of  heaven  and  the  church.  To  be  rilled  with  the  finest  of 
wheat  signify  with  every  good  of  love  and  with  wisdom. 
Finest  —  the  good  of  love,  and  wheat  everything  origi- 
nating from  it,  being  derived  from  good.  E.  374. 

12,  14.  Jerusalem  stands  for  the  church  as  to  truths  of 
doctrine,  and  Zion  for  the  church  as  to  goods  of  love.  By 
the  name  of  Jehovah  which  Zion  shall  praise  is  signified 
the  all  of  worship  from  the  good  of  love.  Peace  on  thy 
borders  signifies  all  things  pertaining  to  heaven  and  the 
church,  for  border  means  all  things  thereof,  the  finest  of 
wheat  —  every  good  of  love  and  with  wisdom,  specifically 
the  truths  of  heaven  and  wisdom  thence  derived.  E.  365. 

13.  See  Psalm  cvii.  16.  A.  9496. 
13-15.     The  church  will  worship  the  Lord  who  protects 

her,  and  teaches  the  Word.  P.  P. 


PSALM   CXLVII.  511 

14.  See  Psalm  lxxxi.  14,  17.  A.  3941. 
Because  fat  signifies  good  it  is  also  adjoined  to  such 

things  as  are  not  fat  in  themselves,  but  still  signify  goods. 

A.  5943- 
Peace  is  that  which  inmostly  affects  all  good  with  bles- 
sedness. R.  306. 

15,  16.  Because  wool  signifies  good  in  ultimates,  there- 
fore good  is  sometimes  described  in  the  Word  by  wool, 
and  truth  by  linen  and  by  snow.  E.  67. 

16, 17.     Hail  stands  for  falsities  from  evil.  A.  7553. 

16-18.     The  Lord  disperses  ignorance  by  means  of  the 

Word.  P.  P. 

17,  18.     See  Psalm  vi.  2.  A.  8286. 
17-19.     See  Psalm  cxxxv.  7.  R.  343. 

By  these  words  also  is  described  reformation,. but  only  as 
to  the  natural  man.  The  scientifics  which  are  in  that 
man  and  the  knowledges  which  pertain  to  him  before  re- 
formation are  signified  by  verse  17,  for  before  reforma- 
tion man  is  altogether  cold,  and  that  cold  is  also  manifestly 
felt  when  the  Divine  flows  in  out  of  heaven.  Since  those 
colds  are  dissipated  by  the  reception  of  Divine  good  and 
Divine  truth,  thus  by  reformation  it  is  therefore  said  —  see 
verse  18.  By  the  Word  here  mentioned  is  signified 
Divine  good  united  with  Divine  truth,  by  the  wind  Divine 
truth,  by  the  waters  flowing  its  reception.  From  the 
signification  of  those  words  verse  19  is  added.  Jacob 
signifies  the  church  which  is  in  good,  and  Israel  the 
church  which  is  in  truths.  Statutes  and  judgments  stand 
for  external  and  internal  truths,  which  are  from  good. 

E.  419. 

18,  19.     See  Psalm  lxiii.  2.  R.  50. 
Waters  signify  the  truths  of  faith,  also  the  knowledges 

of  truth.  E.  71. 

19,  20.     This  He  does  for  His  church.  P.  P. 


512  PSALM   CXLVIII. 


PSALM  CXLVIII. 


1.  Praise  ye  Jehovah. 

Praise  ye  Jehovah  from  the  heavens: 
Praise  him  in  the  heights. 

2.  Praise  ye  him,  all  his  angels: 
Praise  ye  him,  all  his  host. 

3.  Praise  ye  him,  sun  and  moon: 
Praise  him,  all  ye  stars  of  light. 

4.  Praise  him,  ye  heavens  of  heavens, 

And  ye  waters  that  are  above  the  heavens. 

5.  Let  them  praise  the  name  of  Jehovah; 
For  he  commanded,  and  they  were  created. 

6.  He  hath  also  established  them  for  ever  and  ever : 
He  hath  made  a  decree  which  shall  not  pass  away. 

7.  Praise  Jehovah  from  the  earth, 
Ye  sea-monsters,  and  all  deeps; 

8.  Fire  and  hail,  snow  and  vapor; 
Stormy  wind,  fulfilling  his  word; 

9.  Mountains  and  all  hills; 
Fruitful  trees  and  all  cedars; 

10.  Beasts  and  all  cattle; 
Creeping  things  and  flying  birds; 

11.  Kings  of  the  earth  and  all  peoples; 
Princes  and  all  judges  of  the  earth; 

12.  Both  young  men  and  virgins; 
Old  men  and  children. 

13.  Let  them  praise  the  name  of  Jehovah; 
For  his  name  alone  is  exalted; 

His  glory  is  above  the  earth  and  the  heavens. 

14.  And  he  hath  lifted  up  the  horn  of  his  people, 
The  praise  of  all  his  saints; 

Even  of  the  children  of  Israel,  a  people  near  unto  him. 
Praise  ye  Jehovah. 


PSALM   CXLVIII. 


Psalm  CXLVIII. 


5*3 


1-6.  All  who  are  in  the  heavens  and  on  the  earths  should 
worship  the  Lord  from  goods  and  truths  that  are  from 
Him.  P.  p. 

i-5>  7>  *3-  To  give  praise  to  God  and  to  praise  God  is  to 
confess  Him,  and  from  confession  of  heart  to  worship 
Him.  E.  1210. 

J-5>  7,  i3>  x4-     See  Psalm  cxiii.  i,  3.  R.  809. 

1,  14.  See  Psalm  civ.  35.  R.  803. 

See  Psalm  civ.  35.  E.  1197. 

2.  See  Psalm  xxxiii.  6.  A.  3448. 
2,  3.     Here  the  sun  is  the  good  of  love,  the  moon  the  good 

of  faith,  and  the  stars  are  the  knowledges  of  good  and 
truth.  That  the  sun,  the  moon,  and  the  stars  signify 
goods  and  truths  is  because  the  Lord  in  heaven  is  the  sun 
to  the  celestial  angels,  and  the  moon  to  the  spiritual 
angels,  and  because  the  angelic  homes  shine  like  stars, 

A.  7988 
See  Psalm  xxxiii.  6.  R.  447 

See  Psalm  xxxiii.  6.  E.  573 

2-4.  By  praising  Jehovah  is  signified  to  worship  Him 
By  the  angels  are  signified  those  who  are  in  Divine  truths 
from  the  good  of  love,  for  all  such  are  angels.  By  all 
His  host  are  signified  goods  and  truths  in  their  whole 
compass,  by  the  sun  and  moon  the  good  of  love  and  the 
truth  from  that  good,  by  the  stars  of  light  the  knowledges 
of  truths  from  good.  By  the  heavens  of  heavens  are 
signified  goods  and  truths,  both  internal  and  external. 
Since  a  man  worships  the  Lord  from  those  things  which 
he  receives  from  the  Lord,  thus  from  the  goods  and  truths 
which  are  in  Him,  by  virtue  of  which  man  is  man,  it  is 
therefore  said  to  such  things  —  sun,  moon,  and  stars  — 
by  which  are  signified  goods  and  truths,  that  they  shall 
praise,  that  is,  worship  Jehovah.  E.  401. 


5H 


PSALM   CXLVIII. 


2-12.  That  the  Lord  might  operate  upon  men  .  .  .  even 
as  upon  spiritual  things.  He  created  the  sun  to  be  in 
the  natural  world  as  a  father,  the  earth  being  as  a  mother. 
For  the  sun  is  as  a  common  father,  and  the  earth  as  a 
common  mother,  from  whose  marriage  exists  all  the  veg- 
etation that  adorns  the  surface  of  our  planet.  T.  308. 

2-4,  7,  9,  10.  The  sea-monster  (whales),  the  fruit-tree, 
the  wild  animals,  the  beast,  the  creeping  things,  and  the 
fowl,  if  these  did  not  signify  living  things  in  man,  it  could 
in  no  wise  be  said  of  them  that  they  should  praise  Jehovah. 

A.  46. 

3.     As  stars  signify  the  knowledges  of  good  and  truth,  they 

also  signify  the  doctrinals  of  the  church,  for  these  are 

knowledges.  A.  4697. 

The  knowledges  of  good  and  truth  are  signified  by 

stars.  R.  51. 

The  foregoing  statement  repeated  in:  E.  72. 

3,  4.     See  Psalm  cxxxvi.  5-9.  A.  31. 

By  stars  are  not  meant  the  stars  but  good  and  truth,  or, 
what  is  the  same  those  who  are  in  good  and  truth  as  the 
angels  are.  A.  1808. 

4.  See  Psalm  xxxiii.  6.  A.  9408. 
See  Psalm  lxiii.  2.  R.  50. 
See  Psalm  lxiii.  2.  E.  71. 
Clouds  are  composed  of  water,   and  water  signifies 

Divine  truth.  E.  594. 

6.  See  Psalm  cxxxix.  24.  Add:  a  statute  stands  for  a 
law  of  order.  A.  10248. 

7.  See  Psalm  lxix.  35,  36.  R.  290. 
By  those  things  are  understood  the  angels  and  spirits 

who  are  in  heaven  and  under  heaven.  E.  342. 

By  the  seas  are  understood  the  common  or  general 
things  of  truth  pertaining  to  the  natural  man,  by  the 
fishes  therein  sensual  scientifics  which  are  the  lowest 
things  of  the  natural  man,  consequently  those  are  signi- 
fied who  are  of  such  a  nature  or  quality.  E.  342. 


PSALM  CXLVIII.  515 

By  deeps  are  signified  the  ultimates  of  heaven  in  which 
are  the  spiritual-natural  angels.  E.  538. 

7-10.  All  who  are  in  the  lowest  parts  of  heaven  and  the 
church  should  worship  Him  from  truths  and  goods  of 
every  kind.  P.  P. 

7,  9.  Mountains  signify  heaven  where  the  good  of  celestial 
love  prevails.  A.  10438. 

7,  10.     See  Psalm  1.  10,  11.  A.  9335. 

See  Psalm  1.  10,  11.  R.  567. 

The  things  which  shall  praise  Jehovah  are  enumerated 
by  various  things  which  are  without  life  in  the  world,  like- 
wise as  in  this  case  by  wild  beasts,  etc.,  which  themselves 
cannot  praise  Jehovah.  .  .  .  From  the  science  of  cor- 
respondences it  is  known  that  whales  signify  the  scientifics 
of  the  natural  man  in  general,  abysses  and  seas  the  natural 
itself  where  scientifics  are,  wild  beasts  and  beasts  the 
affections  of  the  natural  man,  both  of  his  understanding 
and  of  his  will,  reptiles  the  sensual  which  is  the  ulti- 
mate of  the  natural  man,  and  birds  of  wing  the  reflections 
thence  derived.  E.  650. 

7,  10,  11.  By  these  things  are  signified  goods  and  truths 
of  every  kind  from  which  man  worships  God.  It  is  from 
such  things  that  man  worships  God.  They  are  not  of 
man,  but  of  the  Lord  in  Him.  Those  things  worship 
God,  for  no  one  can  worship  God  rightly  from  himself. 

E.  388. 

8.  Wind  signifies  influx,  properly  the  influx  of  truth  into 
the  understanding.  R.  343. 

By  fire  and  hail,  and  by  snow  and  vapors  are  signified 
the  delights  of  the  loves  of  the  natural  man,  and  his 
scientifics  and  knowledges  before  he  is  regenerated  and 
made  spiritual,  the  sphere  of  their  life  when  it  flows  out 
from  them,  presenting  such  things  in  the  spiritual  world. 
The  worship  of  the  Lord  from  those  things  is  signified 
by  their  praising  Jehovah,  to  praise  standing  for  to  wor- 
ship.    But  by  the  stormy  wind  is  signified  Divine  truth 


6                                     PSALM   CXLVIII. 

as  to  reception,  to  fulfil  His  word  si 

gnifying  I 

to  receive 

into  the  life  the  things  of  doctrine. 

E.  419. 

Mountains  stand  for  celestial  and 

hills 

for 

spiritual 

love. 

A.  6435- 

See  Psalm  xxxvi.  7. 

R.  336. 

See  Psalm  i.  3. 

R.  400. 

See  Psalm  i.  2,  3. 

T.  468. 

See  Psalm  i.  3. 

E.  109. 

In  these  words  is  described  the  joy  of  heart  originating 
in  the  good  of  love  and  charity.  Mountains,  hills,  trees, 
and  cedars  are  said  to  break  forth  into  singing,  to  clap 
their  hands,  and  to  praise,  because  thereby  are  signified 
the  goods  and  truths  which  cause  joys  in  man,  for  man 
does  not  rejoice  from  himself,  but  from  the  goods  and 
truths  which  are  in  him,  these  are  the  things  which  re- 
joice, because  they  are  the  causes  of  man's  rejoicing. 

E.  405. 

9,  10,  13.  The  fruitful  tree  is  the  celestial  man,  the  cedar 
the  spiritual  man.  The  wild  animal,  and  beast,  and 
creeping  things  are  their  goods,  and  here  the  flying  fowl 
their  truths,  from  all  which  they  can  praise  the  name  of 
Jehovah.  A.  776. 

10,  See  Psalm  lxix.  35.  Add:  By  creeping  things  here 
nothing  else  is  meant  than  good  affections  from  which 
are  pleasures.  A.  994. 

See  Psalm  lxxix.  1,  2.  R.  757. 

See  Psalm  i.  2,  3.  T.  468. 

By  wild  beast  and  every  beast  are  signified  the  affec- 
tions of  the  natural  man,  both  truth  and  good.  Birds 
signify  thoughts  which  are  derived  from  truths,  as  well 
rational  as  spiritual.  E.  1100. 

11,  12.  In  general  from  the  understanding  and  will  of 
truth  and  good.  P.  P. 

12,  See  Psalm  ciii.  4,  5.  A.  5236. 

13,  14.  Because  salvation  is  by  means  of  those  things  that 
He  gives.  P.  P. 


PSALM  CXLLX.  517 

14.   See  Psalm  lxxv.  n.  A.  10182. 

See  Psalm  xviii.  2,  3.  R.  270. 

By  exalting  the  horn  of  his  people  is  signified  the  Lord 
filling  them  with  Divine  truths.  They  are  called  saints 
who  are  in  Divine  truths,  since  the  Divine  truth  is  what 
is  called  holy.  E.  316. 


PSALM  CXLIX. 


1.  Praise  ye  Jehovah 

Sing  unto  Jehovah  a  new  song, 

And  his  praise  in  the  assembly  of  the  saints. 

2.  Let  Israel  rejoice  in  him  that  made  him: 

Let  the  children  of  Zion  be  joyful  in  their  King. 

3.  Let  them  praise  his  name  in  the  dance: 

Let  them  sing  praises  unto  him  with  timbrel  and  harp. 

4.  For  Jehovah  taketh  pleasure  in  his  people: 
He  will  beautify  the  meek  with  salvation. 

5.  Let  the  saints  exult  in  glory: 

Let  them  sing  for  joy  upon  their  beds. 

6.  Let  the  high  praises  of  God  be  in  their  mouth, 
And  a  two-edged  sword  in  their  hand; 

7.  To  execute  vengeance  upon  the  nations, 
And  punishments  upon  the  peoples; 

8.  To  bind  their  kings  with  chains, 
And  their  nobles  with  fetters  of  iron; 

9.  To  execute  upon  them  the  judgment  written: 
This  honor  have  all  his  saints. 

Praise  ye  Jehovah. 


51 8  PSALM   CXLIX. 


Psalm  CXLIX. 

i.     It  may  be  manifest  on  what  ground  it  is  that  the  angels 

are  called  holy.     Not  that  they  are  holy  in  themselves, 

but  of  the  Lord,  who  alone  is  holy,  and  from  whom  alone 

comes  what  is  holy,  for  by  angels  —  saints  —  are  signified 

truths.  A.  9229. 

The  church  is  called  a  people  of  saints.     They  are 

called  saints  because  the   angels  in  the  abstract  sense 

signify  Divine  truths  from  the  Lord.  R.  586 

See  Psalm  xviii.  1.  E.  326 

1-3.     See  Psalm  lvii.  8-10.  R.  279 

See  Psalm  xcviii.  1,  4-8.  E.  326 

1  4.     The  Lord  is  to  be  worshipped  from  an  affection  for 

truth  and  good,  because  He  loves  them.  P.  P 

1,  3.     See  Psalm  lxviii.  25,  26.  A.  8337 

1,  9.     See  Psalm  civ.  35.  R.  803 

See  Psalm  civ.  35.  E.  1197 

2,  3.     See  Psalm  ii.  6-8,  12.  R.  612 

See  Psalm  xcii.  2-4.  E.  323 

See  Psalm  xlviii.  3,  4.  E.  850. 

3,  The  timbrel  stands  for  good,  and  the  harp  for  truth 
which  they  praise.  A.  420 

See  Psalm  xxx.  12.  A.  8339 

See  Psalm  xxx.  12.  A.  10416 

5,  6.     See  Psalm  xlv.  4,  5.  A.  2799 

See  Psalm  xlv.  4-6.  R.  52 

See  Psalm  xlv.  4-6.  E.  131 

Because  Divine  truth  belongs  to  them.  P.  P 

7-9.    And  by  that  the  hells  are  restrained.  P.  P 


PSALM  CL.  519 


PSALM  CL. 


1.  Praise  ye  Jehovah. 

Praise  God  in  his  sanctuary: 

Praise  him  in  the  firmament  of  his  power. 

2.  Praise  him  for  his  mighty  acts: 

Praise  him  according  to  his  excellent  greatness. 

3.  Praise  him  with  trumpet  sound: 
Praise  him  with  psaltery  and  harp. 

4.  Praise  him  with  timbrel  and  dance: 

Praise  him  with  stringed  instruments  and  pipe. 

5.  Praise  him  with  loud  cymbals: 

Praise  him  with  high  sounding  cymbals. 

6.  Let  everything  that  hath  breath  praise  Jehovah. 
Praise  ye  Jehovah. 


Psalm  CL. 

1.  To  praise  in  the  sanctuary  means  from  the  truth  of 
faith  which  is  from  the  Lord,  and  to  praise  in  the  firma- 
ment of  power  means  from  the  good  of  charity  which  is 
from  the  Lord.  A.  8330. 

See  Psalm  civ.  35.  R.  803. 

See  Psalm  civ.  35.  E.  1197. 

1,  2.  The  Lord  ought  to  be  worshipped  because  He  is 
omnipotent.  P.  P. 

3.     See  Psalm  lxxxix.  16.  E.  502. 

3-5.  These  instruments  stand  for  the  goods  and  truths  of 
faith,  which  are  the  subject  of  praise.  Let  no  one  sup- 
pose that  so  many  instruments  would  be  named,  if  each 
had  not  its  own  signification.  A.  420. 

Praising  with  the  timbrel  and  dance  means  from  truth 
and  good  of  faith,  with  stringed  instruments  and  the 
organ  from  truths,  and  the  good  therefrom.  Because 
instruments  of  every  kind  by  correspondence  signified 
the  enjoyments  and  pleasures  of  spiritual  and  celestial 


520  PSALM   CL. 

affection,  therefore  also  it  was  inscribed  on  many  of  the 
Psalms  of  David,  and  indicated  how  they  were  to  be  sung. 

A-  8337. 

See  Psalm  xcii.  2,  4.  E.  323. 

See  Psalm  xlvii.  2,  6,  9.  E.  326. 

3-6.     He  ought  to  be  worshipped  from  every  affection  of 

good  and  truth.  P.  P. 

4.     See  Psalm  xxx.  12.  A.  8339. 

See  Psalm  xxx.  12.  A.  10416. 

6.     See  Psalm  civ.  35.  R.  803. 

"  Let  every  soul  praise  Jah. "     Soul  stands  for  the  life 

of  the  spirit  of  man,  which  is  called  his  spiritual  1'fe. 

E.  750. 
See  Psalm  civ.  35.  E.  1197. 


The  End. 


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